Colony of Singapore Annual Report 1957

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Colony of Singapore —
Annual Report 1957

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COLONY OF SINGAPORE
ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Digitized by Google

COLONY OF SINGAPORE
ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Published by Authority
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, SINGAPORE

Runners with burning torches (Singapore of 1837)
—Straits Times

Printed by

A. G. Banfield
Government Printer
Singapore
1959 ¢
Tre
73?
C ‘4 1]
| |
Set’ in. the

Times Roman Series

Published in Great Britain by
HER Magsesty’s STATIONERY OFFICE, LONDON

1959
PRICE 12s. 6d. NET

This report
is included in the series of Colonial Reports
published for the Colonial Office

S.O. Code No. 58-1-49-57

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Grateful acknowledgments are hereby made to everyone who
has contributed in any way towards the production of this Report
and especially to the following for providing photographs:

“STRAITS TIMES” PRESS
CENTRAL OFFICE OF INFORMATION, LONDON
TONG PHOTO SERVICE

Chapter
I
II

CONTENTS

Page

GENERAL REVIEW - - - - - - 1
POPULATION - - - - - ° - 23
OCCUPATIONS, WAGES AND LABOUR ORGANISATIONS 38
PUBLIC FINANCE AND TAXATION - - - - 64
CURRENCY AND BANKING” - - . - - 9
TRADE - - - - - - - - 94
PRODUCTION - - - - - - - 110
PLANNING AND HOUSING~ - - - - - 126
EDUCATION - - - - - - - 135
HEALTH~ - - - - - - - - 150
WELFARE SERVICES~ - - - - - - 167
LEGISLATION - - - - - - - 179
LAW AND ORDER - - - - - - - 186
PUBLIC UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS - - - 206
COMMUNICATIONS - - - - - - 219
INFORMATION SERVICES, PRESS, PRINTING, BROAD-

CASTING, FILMS - - - - - - 255
DEFENCE - - - - - - - - 271
CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION’ - - - 285
THE ARTS - - - - - - - - 297
SPORT - - - - - - - - 307
PHYSICAL FEATURES AND NATURAL HISTORY - - 316
HISTORY OF SINGAPORE - - - - - 330
BIBLIOGRAPHY - - - - - - - 338
INDEX - - - - - - ° - 345

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page
SINGAPORE PANORAMA FROM STAMFORD BRIDGE - Book Jacket
RUNNERS WITH BURNING TORCHES - - - Frontispiece
INSTALLATION OF GOVERNOR~ - - ° - facing 4
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS - - - - - 4 8, 9, 20
CITIZENSHIP REGISTRATION - - - a ns 21
SATIN EVENING COAT - - - - og 32
KEBAYA BEAUTY - - - : - sf 36
PEOPLES AND PROFESSIONS - - - - 5 40, 41
TRADE - - - - - - - ae 92, 93
PRODUCTION” - - ° - - - - 5 100, 101
THE MAKING OF STEEL - - - - - 4, 121
TEMPLE OF HEAVENLY HAPPINESS) - - - 455 128
AERIAL VIEWS - - - - - - 455 132, 133
EDUCATION - - - - - - - 5; 142, 143
THE YOUNGER GENERATION - - - - 4, 148, 149
HEALTH - - - - - - - So tags 156, 157
YOUTH WELFARE - - - - - = lg 174
SULTAN MOSQUE - - - - - eos 175
SUPREME COURT AND LEGAL TENDER - - so og 180
HIGH CouRT JUDGES - - - - - 45 181
CUSTOMS AND POLICE - - - - gs 196
WELFARE SERVICES - - - - - - 5 197
MEDIUM IN A TRANCE - - - - - 45 213
CLIFFORD PIER AND COLLYER QUAY - - - 45 216
RURAL DEVELOPMENT - - - - ec S 217
POSTAGE STAMPS - - - - - S is 228
PoRT COMMISSION” - - - - - ee 229
OuR POSTMEN - - - - - - a 254
TELLING THE PEOPLE - - ° . a 255, 270
DEFENCE - - - - . - - 4 271, 276
ASSEMBLY HOUSE - - - - ° - 55 277
RURAL SCENES - - - - - - - oss 292
MOON FESTIVAL SEASON - - - - - oy 293
YOUNG MAN BETWEEN Two RIVALS - - ee 297
IN THE THEATRE - - - - - Se gs 300, 301
Criry SCENES - ° - - - - oes 316, 317
FLOWERS - - - - - - - 4, 325, 329

EARLY SINGAPORE~ - - - - - Bi! gy 333

MAPS

Inside front-cover—Singapore (showing main places of interest)

Inside back-cover—Singapore in South-East Asia

I

General Review

INETEEN FIFTY-SEVEN was a year of calm and consolida-

tion after the stresses which followed the failure of the
constitutional talks of 1956, and its exploitation by blatant
Communist-front activity culminating in the riots of October 1956.
In April mutually satisfactory agreement was reached with the
Colonial Office on the broad outlines of the constitution and powers
of a State of Singapore with full internal self-government. In the
registration of citizens under the new Citizenship Law, in the legis-
lation for the new system of local government and in the holding of
the first elections for a fully-elected City Council, the groundwork
of the new constitution was firmly laid. With the new legislation
on education and its administrative application, the political fever
was largely removed from the issue of the Chinese schools, but
administrative difficulties remained to be overcome by negotiation
in the light of experience. In contrast to 1956, there was little
industrial unrest. Communist activity however continued in accord-
ance with its policy of penetrating political parties and Trade
Unions and Chinese schools for the purpose of subverting their
political, industrial and educational activities. In the economic
sphere, the level of trade remained high, although the secondary
industries increasingly felt the impact of the tariff policy of the
Federation of Malaya.

Early in January the Chief Minister reported to the Legislative
Assembly on his preliminary talks with the Colonial Office the
previous month, on the resumption of constitutional negotiations.
These talks would begin from the agreed points of the 1956 talks
and proceed to the questions of internal security, external relations
and defence, the designation of the Queen’s representative in
Singapore, the date of coming into force of the new constitution,
and the position of civilian employees in the Armed Forces. He
emphasised the need for unity and the damage which would be.

2 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

the outcome of another failure. Talks between the parties in the
Assembly who formed the All-Party Conference began early in
February and continued until the Constitutional Mission left for
London in March.

The position of Malays received the special attention of the
Conference. The Singapore State branch of U.M.N.O. presented
six demands to the All-Party Conference: that the Governor-
General should be a Malay; that Malay should be the official
language within ten years; that Islam should be the official religion
of Singapore; that five-eighths of all government posts should be
reserved to Malays; that only those born in the Federation, the
British Borneo territories and Singapore should have citizenship
rights; and finally that fluency in Malay should be a requirement
of citizenship. A ‘Malay National Congress’ was formed to urge
that Singapore was a Malay land, and that the Malays should
inherit its independence. Two Malay parties in the Federation—
the Party Ra’ayat and the Pan-Malaya Islamic Association—both
formed branches in Singapore at this time. The Singapore Malay
Union on the other hand opposed special privileges for Malays..

The demands of U.M.N.O. were placed before the All-Party
Conference which had begun its meetings on 7th February to
prepare the way for the constitutional talks in London. When
they were not fully accepted, U.M.N.O. decided not to take part
in any further discussions, expressing its ‘deepest regret that the
All-Party Conference was unable to see eye-to-eye with the legi-
timate aspirations of the Malays in Singapore.’ The Chief Minister
replied on behalf of the Conference saying that only one proposal
had been completely rejected, namely, that the first Governor-
General must be a Malay, on the ground that it would accentuate
communalism. The Conference on the other hand agreed to
‘recognise the special position of the Malays, who are the in-
digenous people of the island and are in most need of assistance’
and to safeguard and promote the interests of the Malays and their
language, adding however, the proviso, inserted with the agreement
of U.M.N.O. in the demands of the 1956 Constitutional talks—
‘within the framework of the general good of Singapore’. The
question of a state religion, of the adoption of Malay as the official
language, and of the limitation of the rights of citizenship, were
considered domestic matters on which agreement need not be
reached before the Mission left for the Constitutional talks in
London. In his letter setting out these views the Chief Minister
asked for a meeting with U.M.N.O. to ensure that they were fully

GENERAL REVIEW 3

understood. The U.M.N.O. representative accepted the assurances
of the Chief Minister, and agreed that the following paragraph
should be added to the draft constitutional agreement :

“That it shall be the duty of the Government of Singapore at all
times to protect the political, economic, social and cultural interests
of Malays, and other minorities domiciled in Singapore. It shall be the
deliberate and conscious policy of the Government of Singapore at all
times to recognise the special position of the Malays, who are the
indigenous people of the island and are in most need of assistance,
and it shall be the responsibility of the Government of Singapore to
protect, safeguard, support, foster and promote their political, educa-.
tional, religious, economic, social and cultural interests and the Malay
Language.” | |

The All-Party Conference prepared a unanimous report which
was published, and endorsed by the Legislative Assembly on Sth
March. The Assembly Motion ‘instructed’ the All-Party Mission to
‘secure from Her Majesty’s Government for the people of Singapore
the status of a self-governing state with all the rights, powers and
privileges thereto appurtenant in all internal affairs and the control
of trade, commerce and cultural relations in external affairs.’

In his speech supporting the motion, the Chief Minister
emphasised that, while accepting the agreed points of the previous
talks, the Mission would accept nothing less than had already been
offered by the United Kingdom Government. They would ask in
addition for the transfer of responsibility for Singapore from the
Colonial Office to the Commonwealth Relations Office, for a
Malayan Governor-General at the head of the new State, and an
Internal Security Council with equal membership for the Singapore
and United Kingdom Government with a Minister of the Federation
Government as seventh member with in effect the decisive vote.
While the Singapore Government would have full responsibility for
internal security, where matters of internal security affected the
powers of the U.K. Government in relation to external affairs or
defence, they could be referred by either party to the Internal
Security Council whose vote would be binding on both parties. To
this the Federation Chief Minister had agreed in principle.

As elections had been promised for August 1957, the Chief
Minister asked for the views of the Assembly on whether the
elections to the new Assembly under the new constitution should
be postponed to allow the new Singapore citizenship, accepted in
principle by Her Majesty’s Government, to be brought into force
by the Singapore Government, so that the new citizens could use
their new rights and responsibilities equally with, and at the same

4 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

time as, the present citizens in shaping Singapore’s course under
the new constitution.

The motion was unanimously passed with the three ex-officio
members abstaining and three members being absent, and postpone-
ment of the elections was agreed.

The All-Party Delegation, in contrast to the 13-man delegation
for the 1956 talks, consisted of five delegates—the Chief Minister
with Che Abdul Hamid bin Haji Jumat, Deputy Chief Minister
and leader of the U.M.N.O.-M.C.A. group, Mr. Chew Swee Kee,
Minister for Education and newly-elected Chairman of the Labour
Front, Mr. Lim Choon Mong, leader of the Liberal Socialist Party
in the Assembly, and Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, Secretary-General and
leader of the Assembly group of the People’s Action Party.

The delegation left Singapore on 7th March. The talks opened
in London on 11th March. After 15 sessions in an atmosphere
which the Chief Minister described in his final speech as ‘one of
friendliness and understanding’, the Report was signed on II!th
April by Mr. Alan Lennox-Boyd, the Secretary of State for the
Colonies and Mr. Lim Yew Hock and the four members of the
All-Party Delegation. The essentials of the Constitutional proposals
of the All-Party Conference were incorporated in the agreement,
which incorporated the creation of a Singapore citizenship by
legislative action in the U.K. Parliament and the Singapore Legis-
lative Assembly, and a paragraph on the need to safeguard the
rights of Malays and other minorities. It was also agreed that the
new constitution would only comme into being after an election in
which the newly-registered citizens had taken part. The position
of civilian employees of the armed services was discussed separately
from the agenda of the Constitutional Conference.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies had insisted that there
must be provision, as a condition precedent to the new constitution,
that those known to have been engaged in subversive activity should
not be eligible for election to the first Legislative Assembly of the
new State of Singapore. ‘It was the view of Her Majesty’s Govern-
ment that some temporary restriction of this kind was essential
to safeguard the orderly development of democratic Government
in Singapore against the danger of Communist subversion.’ After
the first elections it would be for the Singapore legislature to
define its own policy. The Singapore delegation ‘took note with
regret’ of this stipulation.

On their return on 14th April the All-Party Delegation were
welcomed by 10,000 people who lined the route to the Padang

‘Buoy BUOY JO JOUIBAOH pojuiodde sem oym youl Weqoy JIS
s1odesulsg JO joryo-Ul-JopurwwoD pue IOUISAOL) Se poj[ejsuUI SCM SpOCch Wey]

Suipasoons ‘LG6] ‘Joquisseq, WITT UO

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GENERAL REVIEW 5

where they addressed a further crowd of 6,000 from a platform on
the City Hall steps. With them, as representative of the Federation
Government, was Mr. Ong Yoke Lin, the Federation Minister of
‘Transport, who in his speech said that the Federation was honoured
by being represented on the Internal Security Council. The
unanimity was broken by Mr. Marshall who, though still a member
of the Labour Front, opposed both the agreement and the post-
ponement of elections till the new citizens were registered; but
supported the ban on subversive elements, though he thought that
the Singapore Government should impose it by its own action.
He announced his intention to force the dissolution of the Assembly
and a new election with the constitution as the main issue. In
this he was supported by certain Left-wing Unions normally asso-
ciated with the Trade Union leaders in detention.

The debate on the agreement opened in the Assembly on 26th
April and lasted for 34 days, one of which was fully occupied by
Mr. Marshall. The All-Party motion proposed by Government
asked the Assembly to ‘take note’ of the report of the Constitutional
Conference, to ‘approve the points in which agreement has been
reached’, and to ‘approve the stand of the All-Party Delegation in
not accepting’ the ban on participation of subversive detainees.
The Chief Minister claimed that, because of the unity of the delega-
tion and their clearly-defined, realistic claim they had succeeded, on
all points, except on the transfer of responsibility from the Colonial
Office, which they had previously agreed should not be made an
issue on which to break negotiation, and on the position of civilian
employees of the Services, which was not basically a constitutional
issue. The All-Party Delegation had agreed to take note of the
Secretary of State’s unilateral condition on the participation of sub-
versive detainees in the elections but all had opposed it. He con-
cluded that if the motion was approved, the drafting of the
constitution would begin immediately in London, the Citizenship
Bill would be introduced into the Singapore Legislative Assembly
and the Secretary of State would be asked to reconsider his
unilateral condition concerning those detained for subversion.

Mr. Marshall argued that the agreement gave less power over
internal security than he had been offered in 1956 and leaving
the power of final decision outside Singapore. While ‘regretfully
taking note’ of the Report, he called for an immediate general
election on a register expanded by giving the vote to those of 10
years residence without waiting for citizenship rights. Mr. Lee Kuan
Yew announced his resignation in order to fight a bye-election in

6 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

his constituency on the issue of the constitutional proposals. This
was not what Mr. Marshall had expected. Instead of the general
election he had hoped to force, he faced an individual bye-election
with a high personal as well as a political factor. He asked the Chief
Minister whether he would agree to postpone the vote on the motion
and the amendment until after the bye-election, but the Chief
Minister, after consulting the other party leaders, refused.

After a bitter debate on personality and recrimination as well as
on the principles of the agreement, Mr. Marshall’s motion was
defeated by 22 votes to 2 (with the three ex-officio members and
three others abstaining, and two absentees) and the original motion
in favour of the agreement was passed by 23 votes to 2 (with again
the three ex-officio members, and two other members abstaining,
and two members absent). At the end of the session Mr. Lee Kuan
Yew and Mr. Marshall both resigned, Mr. Marshall announcing
that he was retiring from politics.

The Writs of election were issued on 10th May for Nomination
Day on 18th May and an election on 29th June. In the Cairnhill
Division which Mr. Marshall had represented, five candidates were
nominated, one by the Liberal Socialists, one by the Labour Front,
one by the Singapore Malay Union and two Independents, one of
whom had very recently resigned from the Labour Front. In the
Tanjong Pagar constituency, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew was opposed by a
Liberal Socialist candidate and an Independent who had been a
founder member of the Labour Front. In neither election was public
interest great, or tension generated. In the Tanjang Pagar consti-
tuency, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew kept the constitutional issue to the fore,
while in the Cairnhill constituency, no major issue arose and
personalities became of greater importance. At the poll on 29th
June, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew was returned with 67.8 per cent of the
votes on a 47 per cent poll, though in 1955 he had won 78 per cent
of a 57 per cent poll. In Cairnhill, the Liberal Socialist was returned
with 39 per cent of the votes in a 39 per cent poll, compared with the
51 per cent poll in 1955. With this bye-election, the state of the
parties in the Assembly became: Labour Front 7; U.M.N.O.-
M.C.A. 3; Liberal Socialists 7; P.A.P. 4; Independents 4. With the
3 ex-officio members, and two Nominated Members the Coalition
Government controlled 15 votes.

At the July meeting of the Assembly after these bye-elections,
serious allegations of electoral corruption were made during a
debate on a motion tabled by Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, asking that the
recently appointed commission on allegations of corruption in the

GENERAL REVIEW 7

Public Service should have its terms of reference extended to allow
them to investigate electoral corruption. The motion was accepted
on the understanding that the allegations would be investigated by a
separate tribunal. This was set up on 3rd September under the
chairmanship of Mr. S. H. D. Elias to enquire into the allegations
of corrupt, illegal and undesirable practices during the bye-elections
and to examine the election laws in order to make them more
effective in preventing such practices.

The policy on Malayanisation laid down in 1956 was put into
effect. Of the 408 expatriates who had in 1956 been offered
periods of retention of a minimum of one year or more, 263 (or
64 per cent) had accepted the offer of retirement at the beginning
of 1957. In January the new Public Service Commission with execu-
tive powers was appointed under the chairmanship of Mr. Chew
Hock Leong. Their first task was the selection of Malayans to take
over the posts of Deputy Chief Secretary and of eight Permanent
Secretaries vacated by expatriates. These appointments were made
on 5th March. Two further Malayan judges were appointed to the
Bench. In order to open Government appointments to Chinese Mid-
dle School students, it was decided to accept a pass in the examina-
tion after the third year of the Senior Middle Schools as equivalent
to the Cambridge School Certificate for 14 categories of appoint-
ment. They would also be eligible to sit the qualifying examination
for the Executive Service.

A start was made in the raising of local forces in preparation for
the acceptance by Singapore of the responsibilities of self-govern-
ment. In March, on the eve of the departure of the All-Party
Delegation, recruiting was opened for the Ist Battalion of the
Singapore Infantry Regiment with overwhelming success. The first
group were recruited within 11 days; 1,420 applied, 800 passed the
tests and 237 were accepted—60 per cent being Chinese, and 35
per cent Malays. In September, the first unit passed out after com-
pleting its basic training. The possible formation of a second
battalion, after the transfer of the Royal Malayan Navy to the
Federation, was announced in the Budget Session of the Assembly.
This new regular unit did not replace the volunteer unit, which
carried the tradition of the Singapore Volunteer Forces in un-
diminished strength into the Singapore Military Forces. 18,485 men
registered in November for National Service. A new headquarters
was provided for the M.A.A.F. The R.M.N. continued its training
of Malayans and during 1957 twenty officer cadets were under

8 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

training in the U.K. and nine were selected to follow them. There
were 1,600 applicants on the waiting list of the R.M.N.

Two further steps of direct constitutional importance were taken.
On 19th June a Delimitation Committee was set up to draw the
boundaries of the 51 one-member constituencies for the fully-
elected Legislative Assembly, and the Citizenship Bill was given its
First Reading on 2nd August. It was debated on the Second Read-
ing on 11th September and, after consideration by a Select Com-
mittee, passed its Third Reading on 16th October. The Bill pro-
vided that citizenship, for those of ‘full age and capacity’, could be
acquired by birth, descent, registration or naturalisation. Birth in
Singapore conferred citizenship automatically. Citizenship could be
acquired by registration after two years residence immediately prior
to the date of application, by those born in the Federation of
Malaya, by citizens of the U.K. and the Colonies, and by citizens of
Commonwealth countries giving reciprocal recognition to Singapore
citizenship. The Bill also provided that all aliens possessing the 8-
year residential qualification and of good character, could, on tak-
ing the Oath of Allegiance and Loyalty to Singapore and an ‘Oath
of Renunciation’ of all other loyalties and rights, be registered as
Singapore Citizens.

Citizenship Registration opened for an initial 3-month period on
lst November; 1,300 registered on the first day, 21,000 on the first
ten days, 90,000 by the end of November and 307,554 by the end
of the year. In a broadcast to inaugurate the registration, the Chief
Minister said:

“All of us who have worked for the creation of this new citizen-
ship of Singapore have believed that there are many among us who
are citizens in fact, 1f not in name. They have the legal status of
aliens which does not express their feeling for Singapore, their wishes
for the future, or the fact that this is the focus of their family and
their business life, They are long-term residents and to all intents and

purposes are citizens but they have neither the status nor the rights
nor the duties of citizenship.

“The purpose of the Citizenship Bill has therefore been to give these
people the opportunity to become friendly citizens, or to remain
friendly but alien. The door is open. They are free to enter and

become full members but we will neither push nor pull them through
the door...”

In anticipation of this move, the Information Department was
expanded to allow the inauguration of Civic Courses, the first of
which was held in June, to teach the implications and practice of
citizenship.

‘aI04 Jny Aleyixny uekejyew ay) jo siodeguig ur dwed jenuue oy) je ajnyes 94) aye) ‘ueMYyeY [npqy nyuny ‘eAvjepy
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‘Std

Top—Lord Kilmuir, Lord
Chancellor of Great Britain
visited Singapore after
attending the Merdeka
Celebration in Kuala Lum-
pur. He was met at the
Airport by the Governor
Sir Robert Black.

Below—His Excellency the

Prime Minister of Japan,

Mr. Nobusuke Kishi visited

Singapore on Nov. 25th

and was met by the Chief

Minister, Mr. Lim Yew
Hock.

GENERAL REVIEW 9

Another important step was the passing of Local Government
legislation along the lines proposed by the McNeice Commission
in January 1956 and adopted in a Government White Paper on
6th June. This provided that a fully-elected City Council and three
District Councils, each with an elected majority, rather than the
City and Island Council proposed by the Rendel Commission in
1954, would replace the existing City Council with an elected
majority, a nominated Rural Board and 7 nominated Rural Dis-
trict Committees. The new law provided for a City Council with
32 elected members presided over by a Mayor elected from among
themselves, and organised on the Committee System according to
the U.K. pattern of local government. Outside the City Council area,
the rural area was divided into four districts, Katong, Serangoon,
Bukit Panjang and Jurong. Immediately, however, pending the
building of two new townships in their areas, the latter two were
to be combined. In each of the three Districts, a District Council
would be established consisting of 16 members, 12 elected from
single-member constituencies, 3 nominated members, and an official
chairman. The Southern Islands were to form a separate local
government unit.

The City Council Elections were held on 22nd December, 1957.
On Nomination Day, 18th November, 81 candidates were nomin-
ated for the 32 single-member constituencies—16 by the Labour
Front, 3 by U.M.N.O., 32 by the Liberal Socialists, 14 by the P.A.P.
and 5 by the Workers’ Party, newly formed from Trade Union
elements under Mr. Marshall’s leadership. There were also 11
Independents. Three women were nominated. Only 3 members of
the former City Council were nominated. In 18 of the constituencies
there were straight contests, but in 3 constituencies, 4 candidates
were nominated. The electorate numbered 504,294 compared with
the 50,000 of the previous City Council elections in 1953. During the
campaign there was intense party activity, particularly in the
crowded central city area. Attacks were concentrated on the former
City administration. The average percentage of polling was 32.7
per cent: varying from over 40 per cent in 4 constituencies to 15.7
per cent in one constituency. The result brought 13 seats to the
P.A.P., 7 to the Liberal Socialists, 4 to the Labour Front, 4 to the
Workers’ Party and 2 to U.M.N.O. There were 2 Independents.
All 3 women candidates were elected but only 2 of the 3 former
members of the City Council who stood. At its first meeting on
24th December, Mr. Ong Eng Guan, Treasurer of the P.A.P., was
elected Mayor. The only other business at that meeting was the

10 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

removal of the Mace as a ‘relic of Colonialism’ for which 26 voted
in favour while 6 abstained. The business of this first meeting was
carried on in four languages, introducing the long-heralded policy
of multilingualism laid down by the Legislative Assembly.

Although 1957 was a year of calm compared with 1956, and
subversive activity was held in check, the attempts to penetrate
schools, trade unions and political parties continued, and the
Government was compelled to use its powers of detention under
the Preservation of Public Security Ordinance of 1955. In February,
42 of those arrested after the riots of October 1956 were banished.
This action was followed by the dissolution of the Factory and
Shop Workers Union which, under the leadership of Mr. Lim
Chin Siong, had been in the forefront of the events leading up
to the riots. The Union was dissolved because it could satisfac-
torily explain neither the relationship of its activities before and
during the riots to the purposes of a Trade Union, nor the disposal
of $120,000 drawn from Union funds during the riots. Certain
Unions under the leadership of the Singapore General Employees
Union attempted to revive the political and trade union activities
of the dissolved Union.

Further action taken in August 1957 was preceded by the attempt
of the extremist wing to capture control of the P.A.P. from the
more moderate group. Following the bye-elections, the P.A.P. on
4th August held its Annual General Meeting to re-define its policy
and elect a new executive. The extremist attempt to pack the meet-
ing was frustrated by rigid checking of membership cards and the
use of the secret ballot. The moderate group secured support for
their policy of an ‘independent, democratic, non-Communist,
Socialist Malaya’ and of constitutional party activity in contrast to
the permanent party dictatorship of the Communist idiom. But they
secured the election of only 5 of the 8 members they had proposed
for the executive. The Treasurer, Mr. Ong Eng Guan, was defeated,
while 3 of the 4 new members were of the extremist wing, promin-
ent, through the Culture and Educational Committee of the party, in
reviving the type of ‘Communist Cultural’ propaganda which had
preceded the riots of 1956. The moderates, who included the 3
active members of the Assembly, were in a minority.

On the night of 21/22nd August, there were 35 arrests under the
Preservation of Public Security Ordinance. 5 were members of the
newly-elected executive of the P.A.P.; 11 were other officials of
P.A.P. Branches; 15 were officials of certain trade unions; and 4
were on the staff of a political news-sheet published four times a

GENERAL REVIEW 11

week in Chinese. They were arrested not because of the positions
they held, but because of their individual acts in using their posi-
tions for purposes other than those of the organisation. The Chief
Minister made it clear immediately that the police action was
taken with the full support of Government and that it was not
taken because of any immediate threat of riots, or any fear of dis-
turbances in connection with the Merdeka celebrations in the
Federation. Action was taken because these persons’ subversive
activities had become more frequent and more blatant, and it was
considered better to head them off before they could gain the
momentum which they gathered with fatal consequences in 1956.
In his Press Conference after the arrests, Mr. Lim Yew Hock said,
‘Government will take action at any time if there is a threat to
the security of the country ... We have arrested those Communists
of whose activities we have clear knowledge .. . This is not an
attack on genuine democratic Trade Union leaders who need have
no alarm . . . If the Communists penetrate any other political party,
even the Labour Front, I would take similar action . . . The Com-
munist menace is always there . . . The Government has to show the
people that there is a better way of life than Communism.’

On the day following the arrests, the Government published a
White Paper in explanation of its action. Its introduction included
a general statement on the technique of peaceful penetration and
exploitation of democratic opportunities which the Communists had
followed since the introduction of the Rendel Constitution, and
which were ‘particularly dangerous at a time of rapid political
change and social adjustment, when national ambitions for self-
government are being achieved.’ The Paper quoted examples of the
revival of this technique in spite of the arrests of October 1956.
A captured Malayan Communist Party document written in April
1957 had thus defined their policy: ‘Our fundamental policy is
to remain under cover and act with dexterity and cautiousness
while we conserve our strength. Our basic strategy is to expand
and consolidate the patriotic National United Front in order to
mobilise the strength of the whole people.’ It explained that they
had chosen to penetrate the P.A.P. because it was the most ‘pro-
gressive’ party, and that they must accept differences rather than
split with the P.A.P. An earlier document had said that it was
only because of lack of organisation that they had not ‘resorted to
armed struggle’ after the failure of the constitutional talks in 1956.
The chief form of activity had been in the organisation of picnics
for Communist indoctrination through songs and games and

12 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

lectures. Even the games had been given Communist associations.
The report gave evidence of ‘known connection between under-
ground elements of the M.C.P. and the groups now openly forming.’
For example, ‘no less than 11 identified members of the secret
Communist organisation were active in the trade union and politi-
cal fields. These Communist Front groups, if allowed to develop
and consolidate unchecked, would very shortly become a most
serious threat to security which could not be removed without a
very strong risk of violence and bloodshed.’

In the detailed analysis of penetration of the Trade Unions, the
White Paper showed how the Singapore General Employees Union
had attempted to take over the role and the tactics of the Singapore
Factory and Shop Workers Union. The Singapore Trade Union
Working Committee, a loosely knit organisation, was set up again
under the same name as the similar organisation which had been
the cover for wide penetration in 1956. Former members of the
S.F. & S.W.U. had taken over the S.G.E.U.; had formed satellite
groups of Unions; had brought the Unions into use as political
instruments; had again tried to ally with the T.U.C. in order to
control its activities and policies; and, latterly, had been organising
the Communist indoctrination picnics and concerts of Communist
content and association.

Similar tactics had been used in the P.A.P. The same group had
worked through the so-called ‘Cultural and Education’ Committee
of the P.A.P. They had published a paper independent of the Party
newspaper; had established their own committees in the branches;
and had organised picnics and concerts for propaganda purposes.
In July 1957, they had published an issue of their paper in defiance
of the Central Committee, and adopted as their slogan ‘Intensify
our Hsueh-Hsih’, the ‘study for action’ slogan which had domi-
nated the Chinese Middle Schools in 1956.

The White Paper concluded that “once again a serious threat is
developing. Communists and their agents are back in key posi-
tions, daily increasing their propaganda and their power, and
steadily strengthening the extent of their control and thus again
building up a united Communist Front’. To meet this threat, “The
Government stand for ‘Operation Liberation’ which seeks to
liberate Singapore from those who would risk the peace and
security of the people of Singapore in order to speed their path to
power, and force an alien and unwelcome ideology on a practical-
minded community . . . If at this stage in Singapore’s political
development, there has not been time for a strong public opinion to
develop against the enticements and intimidations of Communists

GENERAL REVIEW 13

and their fellow travellers, the elected government in the interests of
the people have an inescapable duty to step in and frustrate the
attempts to create an essentially dictatorial Communist state.’

Four more persons were later arrested, bringing the total to 39.

Government’s action was challenged by Mr. Lee Kuan Yew in
the Legislative Assembly on 12th September when he invited mem-
bers to ‘deplore the inaccuracies’ of the White Paper. He admitted
penetration of his party by a ‘dissident faction’ but denied its
domination. He claimed that there was penetration of all parties
and that the P.A.P. was mastering its own problem when Govern-
ment intervened and that the Government were losing their battle
against the same elements in the T.U.C. The Chief Minister replied
that, as the P.A.P. had acted too late against their Communist
elements, the Government was forced to act to ‘preserve security
rather than restore order after riots’. Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s motion
was lost by 22 votes to 3 with 7 absentees.

On 25th September, 48 students, mainly from two Chinese
Middle Schools, were arrested under the Preservation of Public
Security Ordinance. The great majority were 18 or 19 years of age.
Explaining the action, the Chief Minister Mr. Lim Yew Hock
said: ‘A study of the documents seized confirmed the Police in-
formation that an underground organisation, with an overall plan
to subvert young students of the Chinese Middle Schools and ex-
ploit Chinese education for political purpose, has continued since
the banning of the Singapore Chinese Middle School Students
Union. This organisation is another sector of the overall M.C.P.
plan which was revealed in the Government White Paper issued
last month. Their activity has been increasingly bold and blatant.
We had to take this action before this group got the deadly strangle-
hold on the Chinese Middle Schools which they held last year.’

Describing their activities he said that they had reverted to the
former S.C.M.S.S.U. type of organisation and to the Hsueh Hsih
(Study for Action) Communist indoctrination, under the guise of
picnics to evade suspicion. At one of these picnics, one of their
speakers had said that after the action against them last October,
the ‘progressive parties’ had begun to build themselves up again.
They were adjured to carry on the ‘struggle’ and ‘sacrifice them-
selves for the masses’. They sang Communist songs, some of
Chinese and Russian origin, and one specially written to com-
memorate the disturbances at the former Kallang Airport during
the Merdeka Rally of 1956. These were followed by three plays
in glorification of Communist activities in Malaya and in support

14 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

of the anti-Japanese and anti-American themes of the Chinese
Communist Party. They revived the theme of opposition to ‘Yellow’
(i.e. non-Communist) culture of 1956.

Copies of M.C.P. documents such as Freedom News were also
seized. By assisting Trade Unions on strike, they had been restoring
the explosive link of students and trade unions which had reached
its climax in the Hock Lee Riots of 1955 and the October riots
of 1956. The Chief Minister commented: ‘Last year we were not
so fast. They know the attitude of Government now. We are firm.
We will not tolerate any nonsense.’ While the situation in Chinese
Middle Schools had improved, the other side ‘would be losing
their grip if they don’t start reorganisation again. That is the cause
of the reorganisation.’

On 26th September, the Headmaster of the Chung Cheng High
School was arrested on a Banishment Warrant. The order of
Banishment was confirmed by the Council of Ministers on 12th
October. This school, with 4,252 students, was subsequently re-
organised to ensure greater educational efficiency and discipline.

There were no demonstrations in the schools against the arrests,
and during this period, the Chief Minister received 321 letters from
Chinese Middle School students—in the main from the schools
attended by the majority of those arrested—supporting his policy
of creating an atmosphere of study in the schools and confirming
the attempts by Communist groups to dominate the schools. Sub-
sequently, after investigations had shown that they were ‘genuine
students misled by subversive elements’ and after the Chief Minis-
ter had interviewed their parents, 29 of the detained students were
released, while the detention of the remaining 19 was confirmed.

Relations with the Federation were a recurrent topic of import-
ance, not only because of the decisions taken on the constitutional
future of Singapore and of the achievement of Merdeka by the
Federation in August 1957, but also because of the practical signi-
ficance of economic policies and control of movement between the
two territories. On his return from his Mission, the Chief Minister
had paid tribute to the importance of the Federation’s participation
in the Internal Security Council for the success of the Mission. On
21st August the Legislative Assembly approved the following
message to the Federation on the achievement of its independent
international status as a member of the Commonwealth:

“On the occasion of the attainment of Independence by the Federa-
tion of Malaya within the Commonwealth of Nations on Saturday,
31st August, 1957, the Singapore Legislative Assembly, on behalf of
the people of Singapore, sends to the Federal Legislative Council and

GENERAL REVIEW 15

the people of the Federation of Malaya greeting and congratulations
at this historic time—the emergence of a new nation, taking its right-
ful place among the freedom-loving nations of the world; and good
wishes for the future in which the peoples and Governments of both
our territories are inextricably bound, a future which therefore holds
a challenge to good sense and tolerance which can only be success-
fully met by constant and unstinted goodwill, and by the closest of
co-operation in realising the ardent desire of the people of both our
territories; for it is the prime interest of both peoples to merge into
a single political unit within which, as one people with one outlook
and purpose, all may share the joy and fruits of that happy state
of Merdeka.

We of Singapore look forward to that day when our strength will
be added to your strength and our separation will be ended; and we
can proudly go forward together to make our joint contribution in
human welfare, economic prosperity and political strength to the great
and distinctive service of Asia to the modern world—MERDEKA.”

August 31, ‘Merdeka Day’ for the Federation of Malaya, was
celebrated as a public holiday in Singapore and a salute of guns
was fired on 2nd September to mark the installation of the Yang
di-Pertuan Agong as Head of the new State. The Assembly agreed
to provide the furniture for a committee room in the Federation’s
new Parliament House when it was built, and meanwhile to send a
grandfather clock immediately.

The attitude of the Federation Government was expressed by
H.M. the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of the Federation of Malaya in his
speech from the throne on 3rd September to the first meeting of
the Parliament of an independent Federation of Malaya. ‘My Gov-
ernment will enter into discussions with sympathy towards the
special problems of Singapore and with understanding of the
difficulties which face the Government.’ Inevitably many of the
affairs of the. two territories were the subject of consultation be-
tween the two Governments. The Singapore Government agreed
to the transfer of the Royal Malayan Navy to the Federation while
the Prime Minister of the Federation sent a message of congratula-
tions to the Chief Minister on his action against the students.

On 4th December, Sir Robert Black left Singapore to take up
his new post as Governor of Hong Kong. On 11th December, Sir
William Goode, formerly Chief Secretary of Singapore, was in-
stalled as his successor.

1957 was a year of continued economic prosperity with a high
level of trade and buoyant revenue. For the fourth successive year
Singapore’s trade increased in value. The overall figure for 1957
was $6,050.5 million, $219.4 million greater than the figure for

16 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

1956. Half of this increase came from trade with Indonesia, a
quarter from trade with China, and the final quarter from trade
with Japan, India, North Borneo and Formosa. Although trade
with the Federation dropped by $38 million, 71.8 per cent of the
trade of the Federation was carried by Singapore. In spite of the
increase in the value of Singapore’s trade, there was an adverse
trade balance of $504 million. The volume of shipping in 1957
increased to a record figure of over 66 million tons. Food produc-
tion continued to increase rapidly, making Singapore virtually self-
sufficient in pigs and poultry, with surpluses for export.

The practical effect of this continued prosperity was set out in
the Economic Survey prepared by Dr. F. C. Benham, the Economic
Adviser to the Chief Minister and published in June 1957. He
estimated Singapore’s National Income as being over $1,800 mil-
lion, or $1,200 per head and ‘several times greater than that of
most Asian countries’. He recorded ‘continuous increase in levels
of consumption over the last two or three years.’

Dr. Benham summarised the situation as follows:

“The last three years have been years of prosperity. There has been
a marked increase in standards of living, and fairly full employment.
Earnings have risen since 1954 by 12 per cent and hours of work

have been considerably reduced. The share of workers in the national
income has risen; nevertheless profits and share values have increased.”

Consideration was given to means of improving its port facilities
and developing other sources of revenue. In February the establish-
ment of an Industrial Promotion Board was approved by the
Legislative Assembly. The Board was established in March and
was allotted a capital of $1,000,000 as a revolving fund to finance
new industrial undertakings, or schemes for the modernisation and
improvement of existing undertakings, or for research into indust-
rial potentialities. In July the Minister for Commerce and Industry
announced the decision of Government to appoint a Director of
Tourism to develop the work inaugurated by the Information De-
partment and to allot $300,000 for tourist promotion. Meanwhile,
a Tourist Advisory Board, representing official and commercial
agencies concerned with tourism, was set up to advise the govern-
ment On tourist promotion and to stimulate tourist traffic until a
director was appointed.

A commission was appointed in August 1957 under the Chair-
manship of Sir Eric Millbourn, Honorary Adviser on Ports to the
British Ministry of Transport, to examine the port and landing

GENERAL REVIEW 17

facilities of Singapore and make recommendations for their future
administration, co-ordination and development, labour organisa-
tion, and financing. The report, published in November, re-
emphasised the importance, to world trade generally and to the
economy of Singapore, of Singapore’s future as a ‘communication
and trading centre’. In a passage which echoes Raffles’ conception
of Singapore as an emporium, the report says:

Its importance as a communications centre is clear, not only from
its impressive shipping activities, but also from the fact that it now
possesses a very fine international airport. As a trading centre its
vigorously thriving commercial life stems not from any natural agri-
cultural or industrial resources, but from proper development of its
position as a communications centre. This development has brought

to the island all the facilities of modern commerce, with its banks,
trading houses, insurance companies and marketing arrangements.

But in face of new rivals in port facilities and the coming con-
stitutional changes, the Commission recommended that the port
must be ‘essentially a commercial enterprise directed and operated
on business lines’ and ‘brought into line with established inter-
national practice’.

Labour conditions in 1957 were steady. The level of employ-
ment of manual labour remained stable at approximately 123,000
while the number of man-hours lost in strikes and lock-outs was
the lowest ever recorded. Only 109,349 man-hours were lost as a
result of strikes; the significance of this figure can be judged in
contrast to the 946,354 man-hours lost in 1955 and 454,455 in
1956. 57,433 workers were involved in strikes in 1955 compared
with the 8,233 in 1957. Two of the major strikes in 1957 involved
no serious economic issue, but the prestige issue of a pass for a
paid Union Secretary not employed in the industry. A Survey con-
ducted by the Labour Department showed an increase of 2 per
cent in average weekly earnings in 1957, compared with 1956, and
a slight fall in the average hours worked per week. Two new ordin-
ances passed during the year added Shop Assistants and Clerks to
those grades of employees whose conditions of work are defined by
law, making the 44-hour week apply to more than half of Singa-
pore’s workers.

The major achievement of 1957 in the sphere of social services
was the passing of the new Education Bill and the establishment
of a unified national multilingual system of education along the
lines recommended by the All-Party Committee on Chinese Educa-
tion set up in 1955 after the large-scale participation of students

18 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

of Chinese Middle Schools in support of the Trade Union in the
Hock Lee Bus dispute which led up to the rioting in May 1955.
Early in 1957 there was criticism and even talk of crisis by the
Chinese Schools’ Management Committees when the new educa-
tion regulations and the new system of grants were under discus-
sion; but by the end of the year the advantages of the new scheme
were seen and accepted.

The Education Bill passed its Second Reading on 24th April
and, after long discussion in Select Committee, its Third Reading
on 18th November.

The Minister in introducing the Second Reading defined its aim
as being ‘to ensure as far as possible that pupils are given an
education in conformity with the Government’s education policy to
fit them to become responsible citizens of this territory; under the
care of teachers of good education, professional training and
personal integrity; and in premises which conform to the highest
standards the community can reasonably afford.” Under the new
system, all schools without discrimination or communal bias, are
equal parts of a multilingual education system with a Singapore
focus of loyalty. All schools are administered according to the
same regulations passed on the advice of an Educational Advisory
Board with a right of appeal to an Appeals Board against the
decision of the Director of Education in applying or interpreting
them. All receive the same financial grants, and are staffed by
teachers on similar rates of pay and conditions of service. The
Chinese schools became an integral and equal part of the educa-
tonal system of the State.

The Bill shaped the pattern of expansion of the education system
for which $57,146,928, or nearly 25 per cent of the total budget,
was voted for current expenditure and capital cost in 1957, com-
pared with $40,277,961 in 1955 and $46,125,074 in 1956. This
reflects an increase in the school population from 204,000 in 1955
to 277,692 at the end of 1957. In 1957 the number of teachers
had grown to 9,531 and 2,180 potential teachers were in training
at the Teachers’ Training College, 545 of them training as teachers
in the Chinese language. 19 new primary schools and 2 secondary
schools were built and 5 primary schools were extended.

Following the internal difficulties which came to a head over
the appointment of a successor to Sir Sydney Caine as Vice-
Chancellor and the wish of the Federation Government for Univer-
sity institutions in its own territory, a Commission under the chair-
manship of Professor R. Aitken of Birmingham University was set

GENERAL REVIEW 19

up to review the constitution, working and finances of the Univer-
sity of Malaya. The Report described the rapid growth of the
University student population to 1,700 in its 9th year in contrast
to the forecast, at its foundation, of 1,000 students in its 10th year.
It had ‘achieved a place of respect and distinction’ and had justified
the ‘boldness’ of the Carr-Saunders Commission in recommending
an independent University rather than a University College. The
Report also referred to the ‘disturbing antagonism between the
Council and the Senate’ mainly due ‘to the fully understandable
impatience among Council members to achieve national independ-
ence’ and to ‘rigidity and insensitiveness in the Senate towards
the problems and opportunities of developing a modern University
in a Malayan setting,’ all aggravated by the rapid growth and the
sheer burden of administrative work which was the result. The
Commission however recognised the delicacy and complexity of
the problems of the University, and also the ability and goodwill
at its command for their solution. The First Year’s Arts Course
was transferred to Kuala Lumpur, where Engineering, and Agri-
cultural Faculties were being instituted, while the Muslim College
at Klang was recognised as an ‘Autonomous Authority’ of the
University.

The Nanyang University began its second year in 1957 with 900
students, one-fifth of them being women. The three Faculties of
Arts, Commerce and Science were fully established. Only 20 per
cent of the students entered the University under 21 years of age.

During 1957, the first evening classes of the Polytechnic were
opened for 715 students in school premises, while the building
of its new premises continued rapidly.

During 1957, the first full year under its new constitution, the
Council for Adult Education provided further education, mainly
in language classes, for 12,892 students in 504 Basic Education
Classes and for 900 students in 46 Further Education Classes. The
Council’s new Cultural Centre built from funds provided from
Colonial Development and Welfare funds was opened by the
Deputy Chief Minister on 21st June and proved a well-equipped
centre for cultural activities. In August the foundation stone of
the new Raffles National Library Building was laid on a site
adjacent to the present Raffles Museum by Mr. Lee Kong Chian,
who had donated $375,000 towards the total cost of $2,500,000.
The new building will be a lending library for books in the four
languages of Singapore. It will house the Government archives,

20 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

and will be the centre for a Mobile Library scheme for the rural
areas in line with the development of the District Councils and
the extension of Adult Education in the rural areas.

A further cultural development was approved when, in the
Budget session, $100,000 was voted for the establishment of a
Fine Arts and Cultural Section in the Ministry of Education. The
Minister in making the announcement said that he planned to set
up a Cultural Advisory Council ‘to stimulate the development of
Singapore’s varied cultures, to co-ordinate and encourage private
efforts, and to educate citizens to a more active appreciation of the
arts.’

Housing progress after a slackening of activity due to the
difficulties of transferring squatters from sites, reached a record
level of activity at the end of the year. In January, $44,000,000
was loaned by Government to the Singapore Improvement Trust
for the construction of 5,817 houses and shops. The main develop-
ment scheme was for a part of the former Kallang Airport, and a
quarter of these houses were to re-house those moving from slum
areas. In 1957 1,274 houses and 70 shops were completed and,
at the end of the year, $20.1 millions had been spent on housing,
and 4,971 houses and 124 shops were under construction, which is
double the number under construction at the end of 1956.

The health services were expanded to meet the growing demand
for medical services. Out-patient attendance increased in 1957 to
the record figure of 1,239,281, compared with 881,742 in 1956.
The Rural Maternity and Child Welfare Service opened 6 centres,
making a total of 51 centres. In June the foundation stone was laid
for a new hospital for the Chronic Sick estimated to cost $4.5
millions, and a new out-patient clinic was opened in the City area.
The effect of these measures was illustrated by the general
death rate, which fell to 7.3 per 1,000 of the population, and the
infant mortality rate, which fell to 39.7 per 1,000 live-births, both
the lowest recorded figures for Singapore. Although the ‘Asian flu’
epidemic affected 50,000 people in Singapore, and schools were
closed for one week, special measures were successfully taken by
the Ministry of Health and there were only 4 deaths which might
be attributed to its effects.

Outstanding among the ceremonies of the year was the unveiling
in March of the Commonwealth War Memorial at Kranji by the
Governor. The memorial, in the shape of the swept-back wings of
an aeroplane, surmounts a slope on which are set out the crosses

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GENERAL REVIEW 71

facing across the Straits of Johore. It commemorates the comrade-
ship of the Commonwealth at its fullest and the services of 24,000
men of the Commonwealth Forces killed in the Malayan areas
between 1939 and 1945, for as the legend says in six languages—

“THEY DIED FOR ALL FREE MEN”
The inscription reads—
1939 -1945

“On the walls of this Memorial are recorded the names of 24.000
Soldiers and Airmen of many races united in service to the British
Crown who gave their lives in Malaya and neighbouring lands and
seas and in the air over Southern and Eastern Asia and the Pacific,
but to whom the fortune of war denied the customary rites accorded
to their comrade in death’’,

Singapore had many distinguished visitors during 1957. In May
Mr. H. S. Suhrawardy, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, visited
Singapore in response to an invitation from the Chief Minister
whom he had entertained in Karachi on his return journey from
the constitutional talks in London. He was particularly appreciative
of the housing projects of the S.1.T. During August and September
there were many visitors on their way to and from the Merdeka
celebrations in Kuala Lumpur. Those who stayed for some days
included the Lord Chancellor, Lord Kilmuir, and the Minister of
State for Colonial Affairs, Lord Perth. Lord Kilmuir gave an
address at the Faculty of Law of the University of Malaya, and
addressed a formal session of the Supreme Court. His theme in both
lectures was the importance of the Common Law which ‘continues
to govern more than a third of the world today’, and the hope
that it would ‘continue to be not only a strong tie between England
and the countries of the Commonwealth and beyond, but, by
the way it is administered and developed, always be deemed a
worthy and voluntary bond between all free men.’

Lord Perth made an intensive round of visits to schools, hospitals,
the housing estates and the Airport. He said that Singapore should
be proud of the housing estates of the Singapore Improvement
Trust which showed ‘some of the most remarkable layouts in
development I have ever seen’.

In September, Mr. Duncan Sandys, Minister for Defence, visited
Singapore, a visit of direct interest because of speculation on the
future of Singapore as a Base under the U.K. Defence Scheme. On
his departure, he said that Britain had no intention of moving its
Far East Base from Singapore and would continue to station large

22 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

conventional forces in Singapore. During his visit, he saw the cen-
tenary parade of the Gurkhas in honour of their battle honours won
in Delhi in 1857.

In November, Mr. Nobusuke Kishi, the Prime Minister of Japan,
visited Singapore during his Goodwill Tour, which also included
Malaya, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines. Mr. Kishi left
an impression of courage and sincerity, while re-establishing official
relationships between heads of governments. In all his statements
he emphasised that his prime purpose was one of goodwill. He
repeated offers of technical assistance under his project of an
Asian Development Fund.

In December, Mr. Hugh Gaitskell, leader of the Opposition in
the Parliament of the U.K., visited Singapore, after attending the
Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in
New Delhi.

In September, the Government was host to a seminar organised
by the International Labour Office on the training of supervisors
in industry in Asian countries. A party of Laotian and Cambodian
students came for two months to study English at the University
of Malaya on a course organised by the British Government under
the Colombo Plan. In September too a Philippine Cultural Mission
produced a programme of Philippine songs and dances. They de-
fined their purpose as being to open a window through which others
could see the folk creations of the Philippines. It was an unforced
and undramatised production which for that reason carried all the
greater conviction.

II

Population

CENSUS of population was taken in June 1957. Pending

publication of the full census report, information available
confirmed that the population of the Colony of Singapore was much
higher than was formerly estimated. The preliminary census figures
gave a total population of 1,474,063 for Singapore and 2,620 for
Christmas Island, as compared with 938,144 for Singapore and 866
for Christmas Island enumerated in the 1947 Census. The increase
in the population of Singapore during this ten year period was
therefore 535,919 or 57.1 per cent. This remarkable growth was
caused by a natural increase of 397,327 and a migrational increase
of 140,592. The latter phenomenon reflected the net migration of
people into Singapore from the Federation of Malaya rather than
from other countries, and also provided an explanation of the
rather low figures of the previous intercensual estimates which,
owing to lack of comprehensive data, did not take into account
migration between Singapore and the Federation.

BIRTHS

The registration of births in Singapore is compulsory and may
be effected at a number of registration centres established for the
purpose or at any Police Station outside the City limits. There
is now a greater incentive for people to register births of their
children since the possession of a birth certificate as a legal docu-
ment has come to be appreciated in connection with entry into
Government schools and into Government service, and with appli-
cations for passport, citizenship, and so on. There is indirect
evidence to support the claim that the registration of births 1s
nowadays virtually complete.

24 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

SINGAPORE (EXCLUDING CHRISTMAS ISLAND)
BIRTHS AND CRUDE BIRTH RATES
1947 1957
Births Crude Births Crude

Race Registered a Occurred a
Chinese ... eee .. 33,629 46.10 46,263 ,
Malaysians - .. 5,473 48.09 9,317 =
Indians and Pakistanis ... 3,087 44.76 5,020 *
Europeans ae sas 312 33.62 1,140 >
Eurasians ‘bie aes 359 39.41 360 *
Others... on vad 185 24.63 585 :
Total ... 43,045 45.88 62,685 42.91
Male... ee ... 22,152 — 32,280 —
Female ... ces ... 20,893 — 30,400 —_

Total ... 43,045 — 62,685f —

* Not yet available.
t Includes 5 of unknown sex.

Notes:—The 1957 figures are of births by year of occurrence whereas the 1947 figures
were for births by year of registration. The law allows 42 days from the date the birth
occurs in which to register. During the year there were 51 male and 49 female bi
on Christmas Island.

The crude birth rate for 1957, calculated from births by year of
occurrence, was 42.91 per thousand population of the preliminary
1957 Census figures, as compared with 45.88 in 1947, which gives
a significant decrease of 2.97 per thousand population. A factor
tending to reduce the crude birth rate is the increasing proportion
of the population who have not reached the reproduction age.
However the crude birth rate has remained at a high level for
the past two decades—45.81 in 1937, 45.88 in 1947 and 44.24 in
1957 and the relatively small proportion of females in the
population a few decades ago has been largely rectified by immi-
gration and natural increase. There were 62,685 births in 1957
as compared with 60,892 in 1956 and, with a young and healthy
population rapidly reaching maturity, it may be expected that
more and more babies will be born each year.

The 1957 crude birth rate based on the preliminary census
figures confirmed the belief that the previous high crude birth
rates calculated for the intercensual years were due to the fact
that the estimates of the population based were considerably
under-estimated.

POPULATION 25

SINGAPORE (EXCLUDING CHRISTMAS ISLAND) LIVE-BIRTHS WHICH OCCURRED
Mother’s Age in Years Total Chinese. Malaysians
Mand MF M. F.C M. F.

12 years mee wee 1 — 1 — 1— —

13 years aes wok 2 — 2 — — — 1
14 years ne oa 17 13 4 — — 6 1
15 years oes ae 0 59 53 10 - 6 32 33
16 years as .. 372 186 186 46 61 93 88
17 years ce ... 948% 492 455 210 179 191 175
18 years ae ... 1,679 881 798 430 381 310 285
19 years ee ... 1,979¢ 1,011 967 578 531 276 264
20 years ue ... 2,800 1,431 1,369 789 786 433 381
21 years ae .. 3,535 1,773 1,762 1,194 1,195 345 361
22 years Sis ... 3,781 1,937 1,844 1,324 1,293 407 339
23 years eae .. 3,664 1,941 1,723 1,418 1,265 320 271
24 years ae .. 3,769 1,897 1,872 1,408 1,442 255 236
25 years bis ... 3,889 2,030 1,859 1,469 1,330 323 328
26 years — ... 3,878f 1,987 1,890 1,539 1,403 247 271
27 years mile ... 3,841 1,996 1,845 1,537 1,413 253 250
28 years eats ... 3,680 1,954 1,726 1,484 1,318 287 251
29 years eee ... 3,129¢ 1,633 1,495 1,326 1,173 190 185
30 years ss ... 3,2604F 1,639 1,624 1,247 1,231 257 246
31 years sae ... 2,163 1,148 1,015 936 852. 117 84
32 years eae .. 2,313 1,212 1,101 977 903 127 112
33 years... .. 1907 981 926 792 765 88 74
34 years — ... 1,866 956 910 776 728 109 112
35 years sek wwe Wedd 904 871 710 672 113 122
36 years wad ... 1,567 830 737 711 639 60 45
37 years aye ... 1,424 711 713 617 616 39 60
38 years mee ... 1,259 663 596 580 494 45 60
39 years sue ... 1,026 525 501 452 447 48 36
40 years soe ... 878 403 475 358 415 26 35
41 years ot .. 656 318 338 289 307 15 14
42 years se .. S71 281 290 262 273 10 9
43 years see .. 370 209 161 196 155 9 6
44 years... .. 223 105 118 96 108 5 8
45 years ... 182 94 88 83 83 8 5
Over 45 years sv «159 75 84 68 74 6 10
Unknown _... se 6 5 1 — — i |

Total... 62,685 32,280 30,400 23,912 22,539 5,051 4,759

* Includes 1 of unknown sex (Indians and Pabaniey:
+ Includes 1 of unknown sex (Chinese).

26 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

DURING 1957 BY RACIAL GROUP AND AGE OF MOTHER AND BY SEX OF CHILD.

sorb Europeans Eurasians Others
M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F.
eae j = a as 25, — ae
7 3 = as one 25 a ees
17 13 =o a ae | nae _
44 35 = = ans i 3 l
83 92 3 a 3 1 2 8
121 117 4 | 3 4 13 10
129 136 6 10 8 9 14 17
156 167 23 13 10 6 20 16
180 151 36 30 5 9 13 16
138 139 41 43 15 14 12 16
141 126 30 29 15 15 17 17
156 130 43 33 15 15 20 16
156 137 48 37 13 8 21 19
136 146 33 31 14 19 18 20
134 122 39 36 17 8 16 16
118 99 35 39 9 9 21 10
84 30 26 8 11 13 16
97 95 19 30 10 11 9 11
51 42 31 26 9 3 4 8
71 56 24 18 8 2 5 10
55 60 27 20 8 5 11 2
41 39 18 24 5 4 7 3
47 53 19 20 8 3 7 i
40 28 13 15 4 7 2 3
29 17 17 14 6 4 3 2
24 33 3 5 6 2 5 2
17 11 3 5 3 2 2 —
11 16 6 4 | 3 1 2
9 11 3 4 1 2 1 —
6 3 3 2 — 1 — 2

4 =) an ane = = = a

3 2 1 ars == se a on

3 oes ne at Bee _ = =

1 ees fare eS = aoe =—_ 5
—_ = 1 ae a = 3 =z
2,291 2,164 559 515 204 179 263 244

DEATHS

The registration of deaths is compulsory and may be effected
at the same registration centres and Police Stations as births.
Since a burial permit may be obtained only after death has been
registered, this procedure ensures virtual completeness of death
registration. Coroner’s enquiries are required whenever a suspicion
arises that a death has not been due to natural causes. (See
Chapter XIII.)

POPULATION 27

SINGAPORE (EXCLUDING CHRISTMAS ISLAND)

DEATHS AND CRUDE DEATH RATES

1947 1957
Race Pe Pele D cath Peta D cath
8 Rate Buster Rate
Chinesc ... in re 9,368 12.84 7,696 *
Malaysians wie a 2,029 17.83 1,967 *
Indians and Pakistani . ‘hs 878 12.73 791 *
Europeans oi er 74 7.93 95 >
Eurasians aes a 84 9.22 75 ad
Others... nig ue 78 10.38 86 *
Total ... 12,511 13.34 10,710 7.32
Male ack re ve 7,428 — 6,257 =
Female ... cate iow 5,081 — 4,449 a
Total ... 12,511fF sa 10,710t es

* Not yet available.
¢t Includes 2 of unknown sex.
t Includes 4 of unknown sex.

Note:—During the year there were 11 male and 6 female deaths on Christmas Island.

The crude death rate for 1957 reached the low level of 7.32
per thousand population of the preliminary 1957 Census figures.
This proved that the crude death rates calculated for the inter-
censual year were slightly higher than they ought to be because
of the considerable underestimates of the population base of the
intercensual years. The general trend shown by the crude death
rate (apart from the Japanese occupation period of 1941-45 and
its aftermath) has been a steady decline from 21.96 in 1937 to 13.34
in 1947 and further to 7.32 in 1957. The progressive and steady
reduction over the years in the average age of the population has
not been the only factor contributing to the decline in the death rate.
Other factors are to be found in the stringent public health mea-
sures which have been enforced, the increasing popularity of
modern medicine and better general standards of living, especially
of housing—all making Singapore an exceptionally healthy place
by tropical standards. (See Chapters VIII and X.)

Infant mortality and maternal mortality are discussed in
Chapter X.

28 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

SINGAPORE (EXCLUDING CHRISTMAS ISLAND)

DEATHS REGISTERED DURING 1957 BY AGE, SEX AND RACIAL GROUP

Indians
Age Group Total Chinese sh acl and Pak- pani pie: Others
M.
and M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. FE. M. F.
F.
Under | day -- 3i7® 184 131122 81 40 33 16 114 2 1 #4 #2 #3 «3
1 day and under «
days 162 101 61 71 41 15 10 10 9 2 — tf! £ 2 —
eda ane iisiee 3
days 97 06 6 5340 Ss 443 38 «27 18 130 4 O35 OO
3 days and under 4
days 98 62 36 42 20 12 14 6 2 41 — 1 — — —
4 dave: aia under 5
days ... 71 35 36 21 20 10 10 2 6 f — — — 1 —
S days and under 6
days ... 42t 26 I$ 146 11 8 3 1 — — 1 1 — — —
6 days ane under 7
days 28 =o! 1 WS, So ae. 2D: ee ee ee ee. ee ee
7 days nad under 4
days ... . 134 71 63 46 35 19 18 4 7 141 2 — — 1 1
14 days and under 21
days ... 101 $2 49 34 29 17 18 — 2%i1-—-—-—_— —
21 days and under 28
days ... 63 36 27 21 #14 13 8 «&2s2— f — — ft 2
Neo-Natal Deaths 1,113 642 468 426 283 149 129 46 42 8 $ 4 3 9 6

28 days and under 2

months 261 138
2 months and under
3 months 221 8128
3 months and under
4 months 175 95
4 months and under
$5 months 148 91
$5 months and under
6 months 114 62
6 months and Side
7 months -. 130 72
7 months and er
8 months 106 54
3 months and snaed
9 months --. 94 $2
9 months and uadst
10 months 80 40
10 months and under
I months 77 48
11 months and under
1 year “i 58 32

123
93
80
57
52
58
52
42

40

26

20

46

63

23
14

13

39

Infant Mortality§ 2,577t 1,454 1,120 864 654 451 354 109 90 12 8 S$ §

* Includes 2 of unknown sex.
t Includes 1 of unknown sex.
~ Includes 3 of unknown sex.
§ Includes neo-natal deaths.

DEATHS REGISTERED DURING 1957 BY AGE, SEX AND RACIAL GROUP

Age Group

and
F.

Under 1 year 2,577* 1,454 1,120

1 year and

under2 yrs. 439
2 years and
under 3 yrs. 275
3 years and
under4yrs. 135
4 years and
under Syrs. 108
5—9 years 305
10—14 years 122
15—19 years 133
20—24 years 165
25—29 years 183
30—34 years 223
35—39 years 302
40—44 years 435
45—49 years 627
50—54 years 745
55—59 years 840
60—64 years 870
65—69 years 770
70—74 years 590
75—T9 years 441
80—84 years 241
85 years and
over “~ bas
Unknown
Total

POPULATION

SINGAPORE (EXCLUDING CHRISTMAS ISLAND)

Total

M.

Chinese

F. M. F.
864 654
215 133 137
142 97 §@6101
61 $2 44
$1 42 38
138 114 106
$1 56 39
52 62 28
70 64 42
92 66 $5
90 79 54
124 103 77
178 178 140
211 #315 148
227 383 = =8=178
269 444 195
271 $02 222
291 406 246
277 261 245
237 166 8 203
151 81 135
130 29 =106
1 4 _—

* Includes 3 of unknown sex.
¢ Includes 1 of unknown sex.
t Includes 4 of unknown sex.

crude birth rate and the crude death rate. This increasing rate of

451 354 109 90

66 18
32. «9

NATURAL INCREASE

The excess of births over deaths was 51,975 in 1957 compared
with 47,239 last year. The rate of natural mcrease for Singapore in
1957 was 35.59 per thousand population of the preliminary 1957
Census figures—the rate being defined as the difference between the

Indians
Malay: and Pak-
istanis
M. F. M. F.

| ee fom
Nw = AU WIAOOWWNOWUhaAN LN 17%) = om

--- 10,710$ 6,257 4,449 4,501 3,193 1,048 919 560 230

Euro-
peans
M. F.
12 8

2
1 ee
— 1
1 1
— 1
;
9. (1
{: 23
2
1 §
4 2
6 3
7 6!
— 2
2 2
3 #1
5 1
a
— 2
— if
63 32

Eura-
sians

M. F.

5 5

|.
si. tl

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we
>
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—

29

Others
M. F.
13.
— f
— +!
ek
{i ioe
— 1]
i 2
2 1
3 3
Y en
3 1
4 f
6 —
1 1
1 2
4 2
2 3
3. 2
— ~4j
1 eT
1 ef
51 34

natural increase during the last two decades has been due to the
decline in death rate rather than to the increase in birth rate, as
can be seen by the following figures:

Year

1937
1947
1957

Crude

Birth Rate

45.81
45.88
42.91

Crude Rate of
Death Rate Natural Increase
21.96 23.85
13.34 32.54
7.32

35.59

30 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

MIGRATION

The attainment of independence by the Federation of Malaya
on 3lst August, 1957, did not affect immigration control which
has continued on a pan-Malayan basis. This meant that permission
to enter Singapore included permission to enter the Federation of
Malaya, and movement between the two territories was unrestricted.
Since there are two separate Governments, each territory has its
own Immigration Department but the two Departments work in
close co-operation with each other.

The following Table shows the migratory movements by race
during 1957:

MIGRATION 1957

Migrational
Arrivals Departures Surplus (4+-) or
Pan- Malayan Pan-Malayan Deficit (—)

Pan- Malayan
Male Female Male Female Male Female

Chinese... ... 66,445 34,700 66,967 33,017 — 522 + 1,683
Malaysians 87,946 90,005 90,833 84,725 — 2,887 + 5,280
Indians and Pakistanis... 50,249 8,494 49,017 10,277 + 1,232 — 1,783
Buropeans ... ... 36,664 21,305 38,043 20,704 — 1,379 +. 601
Eurasians ... oe 409 208 353 186 + S6+ 22
Others ar ... 21,814 10,961 20,438 10,080 + 1,376 + 881

Total ... 263,527 165,673 265,651 158,989 — 2,124 + 6,684

Note:—{a) Of all the arrivals, 142,265 took place through Singapore and of all the
departures 148,812 ‘took place through Singapore.

(6) As the population of Singapore by Race and Sex according to the 1957
Census is not yet available, it is not possible ‘to estimate the migrational
balance of Singapore by Race and Scx.

(c) The total migrational surplus for Singapore in 1957 is estimated as 860.

Prior to the Aliens Ordinance, 1933, immigration into Malaya
was unrestricted. The development of the rubber and tin industries
absorbed a considerable labour force, and the number of immi-
grants who came and went fluctuated therefore according to the
local economic conditions as dictated by the world prices for these
two commodities. The slump from 1928 to 1933 brought about a
great deal of unemployment and made it necessary that some sort
of control should be enforced. The Aliens Ordinance, 1933,
instituted a quota system for the entry of aliens. This system,
though enabling the quota to be varied from time to time to suit
the changing circumstances, was never really effective as a means
of admitting only those types of immigrants required by Malaya.

POPULATION 31

Most of the immigrants who entered the country both before and
after the Aliens Ordinance, 1933, were men who came to work
and return to their homeland after accumulating sufficient wealth.
There was little stability amongst this immigrant population with-
out family ties. The character of the immigrant population was
changed when conditions in China brought about by the Sino-
Japanese War led to wives and children and a large number of
unmarried women joining their relatives in Malaya. The sex ratio
in the immigrant population as a result became more balanced.
Whilst in 1931 the sex ratio of females to males in Singapore was
583 to 1,000, in the census of 1947 it was 821 to 1,000.

To prepare the Colony for its rapid political advancement and
to assist in the building of a stable community, it became increas-
ingly desirable to exercise a stricter and more effective control over
the types of immigrants admitted. A selective or qualitative immi-
gration policy was introduced to allow entry only to those who
could contribute usefully to the development of the country and
a new Immigration Ordinance was brought into force on Ist
August, 1953, in both the Federation of Malaya and Singapore.
Under the Ordinance, only those British subjects born or ordinarily
resident in Malaya, Federal citizens and certain others, have
an unrestricted right of entry. All other new comers are barred
from entering the Colony for permanent residence unless they fall
within one or other of the categories mentioned in the Schedule
to the Immigration (Prohibition of Entry) Order, 1953, which,
broadly speaking, admits only those who can contribute to the
economic and industrial development of the Colony and those
who can provide specialist services not at present available locally
in sufficient quantity.

The immigration figures for 1957 were similar to those of 1954
and 1955 before the number of immigrants into the Colony reached
its peak in 1956. While in 1955 there were 6,600 persons issued
with Entry Permits to enter the Colony, this figure rose to 11,000
in 1956, but in 1957 it dropped to only 6,700. The peak figure of
Entry Permits issued in 1956 is accounted for, firstly, by the clear-
ance of the backlog of applications accumulated from the previous
years; secondly, by the more sympathetic examination of cases
following the establishment of an elected Government in closer
association with the people; and, lastly, by the desire of many
Indian nationals to bring in their children because under the
existing legislation they would lose the right of entry on reaching
the age of 18 years. The decrease in the total number of immigrants

32 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

in 1957 indicated that the zenith of immigration into the Colony
has been reached and that many of those who are eligible to come
into the Colony under the Immigration Ordinance, particularly
from China and India, where most of the immigrants originate,
have already exercised their right to do so. With the stricter
administration of immigration policy to admit only those who may
be genuinely beneficial to the economy of the Colony and with
the reduction each year of the number of persons who are
eligible to enter by reason only of having connections with people
in the Colony, it is likely that the numbers of Entry Permits issued
in the coming years will fall further, and perhaps sharply.
During 1957, only 3,751 Chinese were issued with Entry Permits
compared with 6,326 in 1956, a decrease of 2,575 persons. Of the
3,751 some 3,013 were wives, and children under 12 years of age,
of persons resident in the Colony, and 663 were aged parents of
local residents admitted on special compassionate grounds. The
majority came from mainland China. Their admission may have
helped in some way to stabilize the Colony’s large Chinese popula-
tion and to sever the ties of the local Chinese community with their
country of origin. Altogether 1,097 children under 18 years of age
of local Indian residents were admitted in 1957 compared with
2,584 in 1956, a decrease of about 60 per cent. Many of these young
persons took up employment as clerks, shop assistants and
labourers, categories which are normally prohibited from entering
Malaya.
_ The number of specialists and contract employees admitted in
1957 also decreased. Only 76 specialist and 438 contract employees
were admitted in 1957 compared with 116 and 459 respectively
in 1956. The stricter enforcement of the Immigration Ordinance
in regard to contract employees reflected the Government’s
policy of insisting that vacancies should be filled, whenever
possible, by local persons before allowing recruitment from over-
seas. Of the specialists admitted, the majority were teachers, pro-
fessors, doctors, engineers and a few architects. Seven skilled
artisans were admitted in 1957, compared with 14 in 1956. They
were textile workers and tile masons. As in 1956, persons were
allowed entry on grounds of likely economic benefit to the Colony.
Included in this important category were persons connected
with Singapore’s import and export trade with Indonesia and with
the establishment of a shirt factory, a cigarette factory and a batik
sarong factory. Several representatives of firms of the United
Kingdom, America, and Japan were also admitted on the grounds

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POPULATION 33

that their businesses were likely to be of economic benefit to
Singapore.

The importance of trade, particularly the entrepét trade, in
Singapore’s economy was partly reflected in the number of travel
documents issued to local residents in 1957. In all 23,355 travel
documents, in the form of British Passports, Certificates of Identity
and Emergency Certificates, were issued in 1957 compared with
19,048 issued in 1956, an increase of about 30 per cent. The
number of visitors who arrived in Singapore for the purpose of
trade or to carry out their professions or as tourists also increased
from 64,601 in 1956 to 69,227 in 1957. There was, however, a
further decline in the number of transit passengers who passed
through Singapore in 1957. There were 139,717 transit passengers
in 1957, compared with 149,917 in 1956 and 198,319 in 1955. This
decline in numbers of passengers passing through Singapore is
partly accounted for by the political situation in Indonesia.

The Marine Police and the Customs Department employ their
launches and other facilities to assist the Immigration Department
in preventing clandestine immigration from the neighbouring
populous territories whose people are attracted by the better living
conditions in Singapore. In addition, a National Registration system
was introduced in 1948 as an emergency measure. Every person
over the age of twelve is required to obtain an identity card unless
his stay in Singapore is for less than thirty days. The issue of
cards is linked to the immigration control system. As in most other
countries, aliens who are resident in the Colony are required to
register their names, addresses and other particulars. Chinese and
Indonesians are not required to register, but the nationals of
other countries must report to the Registrar of Aliens after fourteen
days’ stay. In 1957, 2,058 new persons were registered and at the
end of 1957 there were 2,504 aliens of 44 nationalities on the books
as resident for over one month. Hotels and lodging houses are
required to keep registers of arrivals and departures.

As a result of increasing restrictions on the entry of aliens since
the early 1930’s, the population has become more settled and cases
of second and subsequent generations being born in Malaya, and
having therefore the status of British subjects, are much more
frequent. There are, of course, many families whose forbears
immigrated several generations ago. Notable amongst these are the
so-called ‘Straits Chinese’ who have developed customs consider-
ably different from those of present-day immigrants from China.

34 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

MIGRATION BETWEEN SINGAPORE AND FEDERATION
OF MALAYA

The population of Singapore is considerably affected by the
migration of people between Singapore and the Federation of
Malaya, which is completely free and the general direction of
which has been from the Federation into Singapore. Although the
exact volume of movement is unknown owing to the lack of com-
prehensive data, a broad outline of it can be deduced from the
identity card records, although, unfortunately from the statistical
point of view, they exclude those below 12 years. According to
these records, there was a surplus of 11,009 people migrating from
the Federation into Singapore during the year 1957. A general
picture of this internal movement during the year may be seen
from the following table:

SINGAPORE / FEDERATION CHANGE OF IDENTITY CARDS
DURING 1957 BY SEX AND STATE

Federation Singapore al anid
Identity Cards Identity Cards Identity Cards
State Surrendered Surrendered Sieedered

for Singapore _ for Federation

Identity Cards _Identity Cards 8 i Pali ob

Male Female Male Female Male “Female

Johore ay ... 5,412 3,610 2,795 864 2,617 2,746
Selangor... ... 1,829 1,032 = 1,345 531 484 501
Perak ve ... 1,275 889 591 223 684 666
Penang... we 2,119 562 600 220 519 342
Malacca... ... 1,014 775 453 140 561 635
Negri Sembilan ... 606 372 453 156 153 216
Pahang , ... .. 354 181 163 70 191 111
Trengganu .. 178 120 139 59 39 61
Kelantan ... ... 190 113 54 23 136 90
Kedah ae ... 306 109 140 36 166 73
Perlis oe ae 6 2 — — 6 2
Federation ... 12,289 7,765 6,733 2,322 5,556 5,443
MARRIAGES

The forms of marriage in Singapore derive from its diverse
religions and racial customs. The principal types of marriage are
civil marriage, Christian marriage, and Muslim marriage. These
three types of marriage are solemnized and registered according

POPULATION 35

to statute law, but other marriages, which are solemnized according
to customary rites, though recognised in the courts, are not
registered. Complete figures of all marriages occurring in the year
are therefore not available.

The Civil Marriage Ordinance (Cap. 38) which came into force
on Ist January, 1941, (repealing a previous Ordinance of 1899)
enables persons of all races, religions or customs to contract, if
they wish, monogamous civil marriages solemnized and registered
in the Registry of Marriages. But civil marriages may not be con-
tracted by two parties if both are Muslims, or if either one of them
is below 16 years. The Christian Marriage Ordinance (Cap. 37)
which also came into force on Ist January, 1941, provides for the
registration in the Registry of Marriages of monogamous Christian
marriages solemnized by ministers of religion. Ordinarily, Christ-
ian marriages are invalid if either of the parties is below 16 years,
but, under certain circumstances, this minimum age limit may be
waived. During 1957 there were 1,705 civil marriages and 730
Christian marriages. The following table gives the racial distri-
bution of civil and Christian marriages solemnized and registered
during 1956 and 1957: |

Race Civil Marriages Christian Marriages

1956 1957 1956 1957

Chinese a 1,443 1,425 339 326
Indians ee 105 135 38 81
Europeans as 82 61 194 159
Eurasians 6 7 3 89 69
Others ee 1 — — —
Inter-Racial _... 58 81 61 95
Total ... 1,696 1,705 721 730

emer e

The Muslim Ordinance (Cap. 46) which came into force on
27th August, 1880, provides for registration of Muslim marriages
solemnized by Kathis in the Registry of Muslim Marriages.
Although Islam permits a Muslim to marry up to four wives at
a time provided certain conditions are fulfilled, in practice mono-
gamy is usual. There were 2,303 Muslim marriages during the year
compared with 2,414 in 1956.

Registration of customary Hindu marriage is not provided for
by statute law but, in spite of the absence of statistical data, it can

36 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

safely be said that most of the unregistered marriages are non-
Christian Chinese marriages some of which are polygamous. In
the law of the Colony, secondary wives and their children have the
same property rights as first wives and their children.

NATIONALITY AND NATURALIZATION

An important aim of the Government’s policy is to encourage
loyalty to Singapore. For purposes of nationality the residents of
Singapore are treated in the same way as those of the United
Kingdom and are governed by the British Nationality Act, 1948.
Persons born in the Colony are British subjects, and Citizens of
the United Kingdom and Colonies.

The qualifications for naturalization as a citizen of the United
Kingdom and Colonies consist of a residential qualification, a
requirement that the applicant is of good character, and intends
to reside in the United Kingdom or associated territories, or to
enter or continue in Crown Service.

CERTIFICATES OF NATURALIZATION ISSUED
1954 1955 1956 1957

European ve 10 1 6 10
Chinese es 264 224 179 471
Stateless sat 23 13 13 42
Others o 38 20 17 11

335 258 215 534

There is provision for the citizens of Commonwealth countries
to register themselves as citizens of the United Kingdom and
Colonies. During the year under review, 1,138 persons took advan-
tage of this provision.

SINGAPORE CITIZENSHIP

The Singapore Constitutional Conference held in London in
March and April 1957 confirmed the agreement made at the Con-
ference of the preceding year for the creation of a separate
Singapore citizenship within the Commonwealth. The Singapore
Citizenship Ordinance, 1957, became law on 21st October, 1957,
giving effect with certain minor exceptions to the London Agree-
ment. Details of Citizenship Registration are given in Chapter
XVIII.

Kebaya beauty—Straits Times

POPULATION 37

LANGUAGES

With its cosmopolitan population, few European or oriental
languages are completely unrepresented, but statistics of the dis-
tribution of the population by languages and dialects as enume-
rated in the 1957 Population Census are not yet available.

RELIGIONS

A precise enumeration of religions is not possible. The Malay-
sians are almost without exception Muslim, while the Europeans
and Eurasians are almost all Christian. Among the Chinese, a
small minority are Christian and the remainder include Buddhists
and an indeterminate number who are variously described as
Taoist and Confucianist, though it is difficult to make any simple
distinction between the various Chinese religions other than
Buddhism. Most of the Indian community are Hindu and the
remainder are Muslim, Christian or Sikh. There are a few Jews,
Parsees and others.

GENERAL

Almost every aspect of social and economic activity is affected
by the rapid growth of population, which is expected to reach two
million by 1965. The main needs created by this population
growth are the provision of primary school places for the annual
increase in the child population reaching schooling age, the pro-
vision of employment for the increasing number of people leaving
schools, and, finally, the provision of housing and rehousing
facilities, and medical services.

Il

Occupations, Wages and
Labour Organisations

REAT AS IS the standing of Singapore as an international
port and market-place, the degree of industrialisation is not
high. About 640 employers employ more than 10 workers and plans
are developing for further industrialisation. The migratory move-
ments of emigrants and immigrants have disappeared and the move-
ment of the working population in Singapore has become stabilised.
The year 1957 saw a slight decrease in the number of strikes
and lockouts as compared to the number which occurred in 1956.
The number of man-days lost in 1957 was the lowest ever recorded.
At the end of the year, there was no major dispute or lockout
outstanding with the exception of a lock-out at one engineering
firm. Most of the disputes in the course of the year were attributed
to the dismissal of workers. The well-organised Unions were ready
to challenge dismissals to protect the tenure of service of their
members.

In the field of labour legislation, a number of Ordinances,
Rules and Regulations were enacted, most notable of which were
the Shop Assistants Employment Ordinance (No. 13 of 1957), the
Clerks Employment Ordinance (No. 14 of 1957), and the Labour
(Procedure—Reciprocal Provisions) Regulations, 1957.

By the first two of these Ordinances, two very large groups of
workers, 1.e. shop assistants and clerks, have now been granted
statutory rights and their minimum conditions of work are laid
down by law. The two new Ordinances also make provisions for
contracts of service, payment of salaries, holidays, sick leave, hours
of work and overtime.

The Commissioner for Labour is empowered under these Ordin-
ances to inquire into, and decide on, disputes concerning payment
of wages and conditions of employment.

OCCUPATIONS AND WAGES 39

The Labour (Procedure—Reciprocal Provisions) Regulations,
1957, is important as it allows the Commissioner for Labour in
Singapore to serve Labour Court Summonses and enforce Labour
Court Orders in the Federation of Malaya. The Labour Court of
the Labour Department can therefore pursue its cases even though
the defendant in the claim moves to the Federation of Malaya.

The Labour Department, among its many other duties, advises
the Government and prepares reports on matters affecting labour.
Valuable assistance is given by the Labour Advisory Board of
which the Commissioner for Labour is the Chairman. This Board
is of a tripartite nature including independent persons, and repre-
sentatives of employers and employees.

The Conciliation and Industrial Relations Section strives to
promote good industrial relations. The Department steps in by
invitation of either or both the parties and acts as mediator in
the settlement of trade disputes. To safe-guard the safety, health
and welfare of the workers, the Factories and the Labour Inspec-
torates visit factories and places of employment frequently.

The Labour Court and the Workmen’s Compensation Section
of the Department are active in the interests of the workers. The
former instituted 370 cases on behalf of 1,154 workers, shop assist-
ants and clerical workers. The total sum paid out was $70,811.49.
In addition, 243 ‘Miscellaneous’ cases were looked into and
claimants were paid a total of $23,561.11. Workers who are in-
jured in accidents arising out of, and in the course of, their
employment are entitled to Workmen’s Compensation. During the
course of the year $508,943.83 was paid out to injured workmen.

In 1957 the cost of administration of the Labour Department
amounted to $804,171.20.

EMPLOYMENT

The Labour Department carries out a half-yearly census of
‘workmen’ as defined in the Labour Ordinance. The definition of
‘workmen’ which excludes administrative, managerial and cleri-
cal workers, shop assistants and domestic workers, limits the scope
of the census. The two Ordinances, which came into force on Ist
August, 1957, the Clerks Employment Ordinance (No. 14 of 1957),
and the Shop Assistants Employment Ordinance (No. 13 of 1957),
enable the Department to assist workmen from a wider range
of employment than has been hitherto possible. It is hoped to
collect returns of clerks, industrial clerks and shop assistants under
these two new Ordinances in 1958.

40 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

MANUAL WORKERS IN EMPLOYMENT

(in round figures)
1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957
March ala aes bd 122,500 123,000 119,400 124,600 123,300T
September bes .. 123,800 123,600 120,100 117,500t 120,600t 123,000

* No comparable figure is available for March 1952.

t (i) 1,500 workers were on strike on 30th September, 1955.
(ii) "800 workmen were on strike on 28th September, 1956.
(iii) 260 workmen were on strike on 29th March, 1957.

The figures for 1957 in the Table indicate that the level of
employment of manual workers has remained fairly stable. Out
of a total of 194 industries in the Department’s register, 56 indus-
tries, each of which employed over 400 workmen, were regarded
as principal industries. Seventeen of the largest industries arranged
in descending order of the number of workmen employed, are
shown in the table on page 41.

It would appear from the Table that there is a slight fall
in the number of workmen employed in the Shipbuilding and
Repairing, and the Rubber Milling, Grading and Packing indus-
tries. This can be attributed to the fluctuating demand in these
industries for casual labour. Comparison of the figures for March
and September 1957 indicates that the fall in employment was
occasioned by a temporary slackness in the industries concerned.

The following Table shows a slight fall in the number of work-
men employed in the Manufacturing Division during 1957. This
fall in employment was due partly to a fall in employment in the
Sawmilling industry which faced difficult times during the year,
and partly to the fluctuation in the demand for casual labour.

DISTRIBUTION OF MANUAL WORKERS TO INDUSTRIAL DIVISIONS
1956 1957

Industrial Division March September March September

Agriculture, Forestry and Fish-

ing ... 1,875 1,828 1,719 1,609
Mining and Quarrying ... 1,789 1,908 1,913 1,927
Manufacturing... ... $7,332 55,010 55,011 53,547
Construction 15,122 14,277 14,455 14,991
Electricity, Gas, “Water and

Sanitary Services 7,024 7,058 7,167 7,283
Commerce 9,045 8,905 8,951 9,464
Transport, Storage and Com-

munication oye ... 20,474 20,333 21,614 21,810
Services* ae ... 11,984 11,236 12,433 12,368

Total ... 124,645 120,555 123,263 122,999

*It should be explained that the Industrial Division described as ‘Services’ includes
community and business services, recreation services, personal services and those Govern-
ment services which are not otherwise specified. Where it has been possible to classify
Navy, Army and Air Force workmen more appropriately in some other division this has
been done, e.g. Naval Base workmen engaged in shipbuilding and repairing are included
in the Manufacturing Division.

the

PEOPLES
AND
PROFESSIONS

The shopkeeper.

The rubber-grader.

PEOPLES AND PROFESSIONS

Top—tThe farmer.

OCCUPATIONS AND WAGES

MANUAL WORKERS IN SEVENTEEN LARGEST INDUSTRIES

Industry

Shipbuilding and Repairing, in-
cluding Marine Engineering

Building Construction

Road transport not elsewhere
classified including cartage
and haulage contracting

Harbours, docks, landing stages,
lighthouses, tug, lighter and
ferry services (Government
and Harbour Board)

Manufacture of Machinery, ex-
cept Electrical Machinery,
including general, construc-
tional and mechanical

engineering ae

Repair of motor vehicles and
motor cycles neh

Tramway and Omnibus Opera-
tors a oe

Other construction, repair and
demolition work not else-
where classified :

Rubber grading and packing ...
Sanitary Services ...

Stevedore and lighterage ser-
vices excluding Government
and Harbour Board

Importers and exporters, com-
Mission agents and commo-
dity brokers not elsewhere
classified on

Printing, book-binding and arts
and engraving works i.

Air Force establishments not
elsewhere classified oe

Medical, surgical, dental and
other health services “ike

Electric light and power
Rubber milling

1956
March September
10,934 10,597
8,951 8,268

4,381 4,363
4,807 4,981
5,300 5,102
4,591 4,684
4,561 4,341
4,182 4,281
4,091 4,085
3,363 3,278
3,371 3.538
2,523 2,714
2,599 2,505
2,290 2,283
2,364 2,341
2,102 2,224
2,214 2,001

* Preliminary figures.

1957

41

March September*

10,577
8,323

5,077

5,002

5,031

4,713

4,599

4,245

3,986
3,382

3,797

2,558

2,577

2,484

2,388
2,257
1,914

10,043
8,916

5,434

5,309

4,904

4,803

4,422

4,315

3,478
3,394

3,362

2,991.

2,608

2,347

2,302

2,242

1,913

42 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

DISTRIBUTION OF MANUAL WORKERS TO EMPLOYERS

1956
March September

United Kingdom Departments 312 379
Government Departments 5,547 5,481
City Council Departments 9,732 9,826
Singapore Harbour Board 7,043 7,253
Singapore Telephone Board ... 636 821
Singapore Improvement Trust 491 507
Armed Services 21,615 21,249
Private Enterprises 79,269 75,039

Total .. 124,645 120,555

1957

March September
342 378
5,730 5,315
10,041 10,159
7,309 7,635
7164 805
519 543
21,160 20,274
- 77,398 77,890

123,263

122,999

The above Table indicates that, apart from a small increase in
the number of manual workers employed by the City Council and
Singapore Harbour Board and a slight decrease in the number
employed by the Armed Services, the number of workers employed
in September 1957 by the other groups of employers remained
about the same as in the previous year.

NUMBER OF SINGAPORE WORKMEN RECRUITED TO WORK IN
CHRISTMAS ISLAND

1957 ica Skilled

January on at _— —
February See me 48 _
March ws ik 58 1

April ea oe 47 21
May eee Ae 24 14
June sie in 4 —
July aa Bus 6 —
August “ea ini 4 —
September tet ve 7 —
October ies ‘os 24 7
November iss ie 2 2
December See se 16 —

Total ... 240 45

EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

Semi-

Skilled

Clerical Domestic

Total

The primary function of the Employment Exchange is to assist
employment-seekers to find suitable employment and to assist
employers to find suitable employees. The services provided by the
Exchange are free for all persons, but offer of employment is
primarily given to those who are ordinarily resident in Singapore.

OCCUPATIONS AND WAGES 43

There are two Employment Exchanges, a central Exchange in the
Ministry of Labour and Welfare at Havelock Road and a branch
Exchange at 104 m.s. Chua Chu Kang Road, close to the industrial
area along Bukit Timah Road.

The percentages of registrants in 1957 by race were as follows:

Race Percentage
Chinese... ta 60
Malays/Javanese a 21
Indians a she 18
Others oe Fu 1

The following Table shows the average figures of new registra-
tion, notification of vacancies by employers, and placing of
registrants since 1953:

Monthly Monthly _— Monthly average

Year average of new average of _ of persons placed
registrations notified vacancies in employment

1953... oh 1,641 867 588
1954 ... aoe 1,734 670 380
1955... te 1,381 622 368
1956 ... = 1,285 458 306
1957 ... ae 1,232 413 331

Juvenile registrants were especially hard to place due to the
lack of employment opportunities.

UNEMPLOYMENT

Regular counts of the number of persons on the ‘live’ register
maintained by the Employment Exchange showed that there were
8,858, 7,623, 7,730 and 8,091 registrants actually seeking employ-
ment in the months of March, June, September and December.
The monthly average of the number of persons seeking employ-
ment (i.e. persons whose names were on the ‘live’ register) was
7,919, of whom an average of 2,210 received public assistance from
the Social Welfare Department.

INDUSTRIAL TRAINING

Apprenticeship Training

The Joint Advisory Council for Apprenticeship Training was set
up by the Minister for Labour and Welfare to advise him on the
development, promotion, administration and general supervision
of apprenticeship training in Singapore.

44 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

The Council consists of eighteen members—a Chairman, one
member representing the Ministry of Education, two members
representing the Singapore Polytechnic, seven members represent-
ing employers and seven members representing employees.

Seven Committees were set up under the Council covering the
Building and Civil Engineering Industry, Electrical Engineering
Industry, Mechanical Engineering Industry, Shipbuilding and
Ship Repairing Industry, Motor Transport Industry, Fishing Indus-
try and the Aircraft Industry. These Committees, composed of
representatives of employers’ associations, professional engineers
and organised labour in the fields of the industries mentioned,
were responsible for devising detailed training schemes within the
different industries. The Committees make recommendations to the
Joint Advisory Council on the methods of selection of apprentices,
the numbers to be trained in each trade and to conduct examina-
tions.

During 1957, the Joint Advisory Council held eight meetings.
Altogether forty-one meetings were held by the seven Committees.

By the end of the year, a standard form of apprenticeship agree-
ment, recommended by the Committees, was approved by the
Minister for general application. Apprenticeship training schemes
which have been approved by the Joint Advisory Council, and
which will be implemented in 1958 are as follows:

Industry Trades
Aircraft Ground Engineers.
Building and Civil Engineering Carpenter.
Electrical Engineering Electrician (Installation); Cable
; Jointer; Electrical Switch-gear
Erector.
Fishing Fishing Hands (Trawlers).
Mechanical Engineering Fitter (General Engineering);
Turner; Blacksmith.
Motor Transport Fitter (Motor Transport); Electri-

cal Mechanic (M.T.); Sheet
Metal Worker.

Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing Fitter; Electrician; Plater; Ship-
wright; Boat Builder.

The general terms and conditions which apply to practically
all the approved apprenticeship training schemes provide for the
apprentice to serve with an employer for a fixed period to
learn the practical aspects of the skilled trade. The terms also

OCCUPATIONS AND WAGES 45

provide that the employer release the apprentice for one day per
week to enable him to attend classes at an approved educational
establishment for theoretical training.

Supervisory Training (T.W.I.)

Outstanding among the year’s supervisory training activities was
the Asian Regional Seminar of the International Labour Office,
which was inaugurated by the Chief Minister at the University of
Malaya on 12th August. Forty-seven representatives from twelve
Asian countries and Australia, together with a Panel of five I.L.O.
experts from Canada, United Kingdom, India and the I.L.O., took
part in this very successful seminar.

The Department continued to advise and train supervisors from
industrial and commercial organisations, public and quasi-govern-
ment and H.M. Service establishments, in the Training Within
Industry system of supervisory training. Of the neighbouring ter-
ritories, the Federation of Malaya, Hong Kong and Borneo as well
as Christmas Island, sought and obtained information on the
Singapore Scheme. During the year, two new programmes on
‘Union Job Relations’ and ‘Job Safety’, were introduced.

The cumulative total of those taking part in the scheme was as
follows:

~ SSS
Appreciation Courses for Senior
Management - 23% 160 456
Institutes re sah ie 42* 113*
Basic T.W.I. Courses as ian 1,026T 4,345T

* One trainer may be trained in any or all of the 3 ‘J’ (Job Relation, Job Method and
Job Instruction) programmes.
t One Supervisor may be trained in any or all of the 3 ‘J’ programmes.

The Supervisory Training Association, which was formed in
1955 by groups of people interested in T.W.I., continued its
activities and the Labour Department remained in touch with the
Association and assisted them in their activities wherever possible.

Training and Employment of Disabled Persons

The term ‘disabled person’ can be defined as any person who,
by reason of a physical defect or infirmity, whether congenital or
acquired by accident, injury, or disease, is, or may be expected
to be, totally or partially incapacitated for remunerative occupation.
The rehabilitation Scheme, introduced in 1954, is designed to

46 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

render assistance in the form of training to disabled persons and
to make them employable in remunerative occupation. During 1957
186 disabled persons registered from which 90 were selected for
training at a cost of $38,000 as compared to 55 in the previous
year. Approximately 45 per cent of those trained during the course
of the year found employment. While the object of the Scheme is
to place in employment the disabled persons who have been
trained, the fulfilment of the object depends entirely on the good-
will and sympathetic consideration of the employers who do not
easily understand that a trained disabled person, though not as
productive as an able-bodied worker, is capable of taking his part
in production. A vigorous campaign was planned to seek the co-
Aperation and understanding of potential employers.

The following Table shows the number of disabled persons
trained in various trades:

No. of
Trade Disabled
Persons Trained

Basketry wee oe at 11
Carpentry _ sate ee 8
Compositor _.... oF a 1
Dressmaking 28
Embroidery
Gardening
Handicraft
Printing

Poultry Farming
Rattan Work
Shorthand
Shorthand (Braille)
Tailoring
Typewriting
Telephone Operator

Weaving

Total

cy

OCCUPATIONS AND WAGES 47

CONDITIONS OF WORK

In accordance with the requirements of Convention No. 63 of
the International Labour Organisation, a sample survey of average
weekly earnings and hours of work in 56 principal industries was
conducted in July 1957. About 85.7 per cent of the labour popula-
tion in the Colony is employed in these 56 industries. The survey
revealed that average weekly earnings increased by approximately
2 per cent, from $37.12 in 1956 to $37.98 in 1957. The average
hourly earnings also rose slightly from 77 cents in 1956 to 79
cents in 1957, an increase of about 3 per cent.

The sample survey of 473 establishments conducted in July 1957
showed that the average number of hours worked per week by
manual workers in the principal industries was 47.80, a decrease
of 0.62 hours from the average for 1956. The number of working
hours per week was 46-50 hours for about 60 per cent of the total
number of manual workers.

The Labour Ordinance provides that no workman can be com-
pelled to work more than 6 consecutive hours at a time, or more
than 8 hours a day, or more than 44 hours per week. The hours
of work for children and young persons are also regulated. Night
work is uncommon and is usually found only in public utility
undertakings.

According to the survey about 81 per cent of the undertakings
worked a standard 8-hour day; about 26 per cent of them paid
double rates and 46 per cent paid time-and-a-half for overtime
work on normal working days. About 10 per cent paid less than
time-and-a-half. Of the remainder, some paid piece-rates and some
never worked overtime.

Of the undertakings in the sample about 62 per cent paid double
rate for working on a weekly rest day; about 67 per cent paid
double rate and about 2 per cent paid treble rate for working on
public holidays. A 44-hour week was the standard for about 50 per
cent of the undertakings; and in about 24 per cent a 48-hour week
was worked. This indicates that the majority of workers now en-
joy an 8-hour day and a 6-day week. The Labour Ordinance pro-
vides for not less than double the ordinary rates of wages for work
done by a workman on a weekly rest day and not less than one
and a half times the ordinary rate of wages for overtime work
done by a workman on an ordinary working day.

48 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Under the Labour Ordinance, a workman is also entitled to a
paid holiday (or wages at not less than double rate in lieu) on
each of the eleven holidays scheduled in the Ordinance. By agree-
ment between the employer and the worker, any other day may
be substituted for a scheduled holiday. In addition, a workman
is entitled to 7 days’ paid leave for every 12 months’ continuous
service with the same employer, such leave being in addition to
the rest days and holidays to which the workman is entitled. A
workman is also entitled to an aggregate of 28 days’ paid sick
leave a year. Further, a female ‘workman’ on confinement is
entitled to receive maternity benefits as provided in the Ordinance.

Under the Clerks Employment Ordinance, which came into force
on Ist August, 1957 no ‘clerk’ can be compelled to work for more
than 8 hours a day or 39 hours per week and no ‘industrial clerk’
for more than 8 hours a day or 44 hours per week. The Ordinance
provides for not less than one and half times the rate of pay for
overtime work done beyond the stipulated hours mentioned above.
It also provides for 16 paid holidays for clerks and 11 paid holi-
days for industrial clerks in accordance with the schedules in the
Ordinance. For every 12 months of continuous service after Ist
August, 1957, (the date of coming into force of the Ordinance)
with the same employer, a ‘clerk’ is entitled to 14 days paid annual
leave and an ‘industrial clerk’ to 7 days paid annual leave. In
addition, both ‘clerks’ and ‘industrial clerks’ are entitled to an
aggregate of 28 days’ paid sick leave per year provided they have
served an employer for a period of no less than 12 months after
the coming into force of the Ordinance.

The Shop Assistants Employment Ordinance, which came into
force on Ist August, 1957 and repeals the Weekly Holidays Ordin-
ance and the Seats for Shop Assistants Ordinance, confer similar
benefits on shop assistants. It provides for an 8-hour day and a
44-hour week; over-time payment at not less than one-and-a-half
times the ordinary rate of pay for work done over and beyond
the stipulated working hours; a weekly rest day; 11 paid holidays
as scheduled in the Ordinance; 7 days’ paid annual leave, and an
aggregate of 28 days’ paid sick leave provided that in both cases
the shop assistant has served the same employer for a continuous
period of 12 months after the coming into force of the Ordinance.

The following Tables give the prevailing wage rates of selected
occupations: | :

OCCUPATIONS AND WAGES

49

PREVAILING DAILY WAGE RATES OF SELECTED OCCUPATIONS (1957)

Occupation

SKILLED WORKERS

Bench Fitter

Welders (Gas; Electric)

Lathe Operators
(Turners)

Boiler Makers

Moulder-Founders

Motor Fitter,
Ist grade

Motor Fitter,
2nd grade

Carpenters

Bricklayers (Mason) ...

Steel Workers
(Benders)

Electricians

Linotype Operators ...

Glass Blowers

(Benders)

UNSKILLED WORKERS
General Labourers (M)

Labourers
(Carriers) (M)

Labourers (M)

Labourers (F)

Carriers (M)

Checkers, Testers and
Sorters (M and F) ...

Machine Attendants

(M and F)

Carriers (M)

Industry

Engineering
Engineering

Engineering
Engineering

Foundry
Motor Works ...

Motor Works ...

Building
Construction

Building
Construction

Building
Construction

Engineering

Printing Press ...

Glass Works ...

Engineering

Rubber Milling

Building
Construction

Building
Construction

Rubber Packing
Rubber Packing
Cold Drinks

Manufacture
Sawmilling

Wage Rates per day

Minimum Average

$c.

5 00
417

5 00
3 90
4 00

6 00

4 00

6 00

5 00

3 30

3 75

4 20

$c.

6 09
6 45

7 26

6 30

~
~]
N

bo)
>
N

4 48

Maximum

$c.

13 05
10 00

13 33

50 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

SINGAPORE COST OF LIVING INDEX NUMBERS
(1939 = 100)

(a) Higher Income Group Standard

Weights June Dec.

Group 1939 1956 1956
ALL ITEMS — 243.1* 245.5
1. Food and Groceries... Seis 15.9 335.0 342.5
2. Liquors, Aerated Water and Tobacco 6.1 302.3 315.0
3. Servants... es es 17.0 295.0 295.0
4. Light and Water des ae 2.4 137.7 137.7
5. Transport ... aot ees 6.1 212.4 214.9
6. Education ... set Me 21.2 193.1* 192.3
7. Clothing... wise on 7.8 337.1 337.0
3. Entertainment and Recreation ‘xe 7.5 232.8 239.3
9. Rent aie saig sa 16.0 126.9 126.9

100.0
* Amended

(b) Clerical Workers’ Standard

Group nee gee Oe

ALL ITEMS — 313.1 322.1

1. Food and Groceries... .. 39.1 420.1 439.8
2. Tobacco... te ae 2.7 300.0 341.7
3. Servants... ae se AZS 295.0 295.0
4. Light and Water ce sie 4.5 184.6 178.8
$. Transport ... Sats ea 8.4 212.4 214.9
6. Education ... we — 8.7 191.4 196.3
7. Rent ate ies .. 16.0 116.2 116.2
8. Clothing... iu “ae 8.1 525.0 $22.4

June

1957

249.3
339.8
316.9
295.0
137.7
219.9
210.0
336.7
240.3
126.9

June
1957

320.6
434.9
341.7
295.0
182.7
219.9
195.1
116.2

$22.2

Dec.
1957

249.4
338.1
316.2
295.0
137.7
232.4
208.7
336.7
239.9
126.9

Dec.
1957

322.5
435.8
341.7
293.0
182.7
232.4
195.3
116.2

$28.1

OCCUPATIONS AND WAGES 51

AVERAGE MONTHLY RETAIL PRICES
(selected foodstuffs)

Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly

Article Unit Average Average Average Average Average

1939 June Dec. June Dec.
$c. $c. $c. $c. $c.
1. Beef, stew or curry ... Kati 0 31 1 80 1 65 1 60 1 60
2. Mutton aes ..- Ib. 0 52 1 35 1 35 1 55 1 35
3. Pork (ist quality) ... Kati 0 36 2 33 2 36 2 68 2 6S
4. Fowls se ... Kati 0 32 1 68 1 63 1 57 1 45
S. Fowl’seggs__.... .. 10 0 28 1 28 1 35 1 23 1 27
6. Fish, Kurau _... ... Kati 0 40 2 01 2 35 2 55 2 91
7. Fish, Merah (Snapper) ... Kati 0 31 0 34 077 0 46 0 60

8. Fish, Tenggiri (Spanish Mac-

keral) aa .. Kati 0 28 i 21 2 00 1 43 1 51
9. Beans, long ee ... Kati 0 08 0 31 O 36 0 34 0 35
10. Beetroot sis ... Kati 0 12 0 50 0 40 0 45 0 47
11. Cabbage ~ ... Kati 0 08 0 5! 0 36 0 51 0 50
12. Carrots me ... Kati 0 11 0 43 0 38 0 47 0 38
13. Spinach (Bayam) ... Kati 0 04 0 23 0 29 0 23 0 25
14. Bananas (pisang hijau) sve 10 0 10 0 70 0 70 0 60 0 60
15. Limes, small... ... Kati 0 05 0 26 0 26 0 29 0 36
16. Papaya ise ... Kati 0 0S 0 23 0 24 0 22 0 23
17. Onions, large... ... Kati 0 06 0 21 0 29 0 30 0 28
18. Coconut Oil _... ... Kati 0 08 0 33 0 38 0 58 0 38
19. Lard “iss .-. Kati 0 24 0 80 1 00 0 95 0 90
20. Rice* = ... Kati - 0 22 0 23 0 23 0 27
21. Sugar sia ... Kati 0 07 0 24 0 34 0 35 0 26

* Average weighted retail price of lowest grade Siam whole rice and Siam partly broken rice.

LABOUR COURT

The Commissioner for Labour has statutory powers under three
Ordinances to hear disputes and give decisions which have the
force of District Court judgments. Appeals from these decisions
can be taken to the High Court. These disputes are disposed of
by an experienced officer with a minimum of delay and incon-
venience to the parties. There is no fee for this service.

Matters in dispute arising under the Labour Ordinance (No. 40
of 1955), the Shop Assistants Employment Ordinance (No. 13 of
1957) and the Clerks Employment Ordinance (No. 14 of 1957)
deal, in the main, with wages, holidays, rest days, annual leave,
and overtime.

52 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

During the year, 302 of the 370 cases instituted under the thice
Ordinances were under the Labour Ordinance; the remaining 68
were under the other two Ordinances which, at the end of the
year, had been in force for just five months. A sum of $70,811.49
was paid into Court on behalf of successful complainants. Officers
of the Labour Department also dealt with 253 cases which did
not fall strictly within the statutory jurisdiction conferred by the
three Ordinances. A sum of $23,561.14 was recovered for payment
to complainants in these cases. In such cases, the Commissioner
for Labour simply acts as adviser or arbitrator.

COMPARATIVE DETAILS OF CASES

Labour cases instituted during the year

*Miscellaneous’ _cases dealt. with
during the year

Shop Assistant cases instituted for the
period 1st August to 31st December.
1957 is beng sad

Clerks Employment cases instituted
for the period Ist ee to 3i1st
December, 1957

Total

1954
586

233

819

1955
393

587

980

1957
302

243

COMPARATIVE DETAILS OF AMOUNTS RELATING TO LABOUR CASES

1954 1955
$ G, =-§ Cc.
Total sums paid into court
for Labour Cases for the. 2 2
year . 98,299 92 59,925 00

Total sums _ recovered in
‘Miscellaneous’ Cases

Total sums recovered for
_ Shop Assistant under the
Shop Assistants maa a
ment Ordinance —

Total sums recovered for
Clerks under the Clerks
Employment Ordinance ... —

16,011 45 57,641 51

1956

$

Cc.

1957
$ c.

78,762 00 65,658 90

34,251 65 23,561 19

2,950 59

2,202 00

Total ... 114,311 37 117,566 51 113,013 65 94,372 68

OCCUPATIONS AND WAGES 53

TRADE UNIONS

The number of small unions in Singapore continued to rise. The
general pattern of union development closely followed that of
previous years. Most of the new unions established were small and
no serious attempts were made towards either forming larger unions
or merging existing ones. The attempts at amalgamation begun in
1956 by the Bus and the Harbour Board Workers’ Unions fell
through. Internal administration of unions still left much to be
desired. The records and the books of a number of unions were
neither up-to-date nor systematically kept. In a few cases, it was
not even possible to tell from them with any degree of accuracy the
total number of members or the number of those paying their
subscriptions regularly.

The certificate of the Singapore Factory and Shop Workers’
Union which had a membership of about 30,000, was cancelled on
the grounds that the union had been used for purposes inconsistent
with its objects and rules, and that its funds were expended on
objects not authorised by its rules. In the middle of the year, the
Registrar had reason to believe that certain unions were engaged or
about to engage in such activities as group-singing of songs of Com-
munist origin and staging plays designed to bring discredit to the
Police or the Government. The Registrar found it necessary to warn
the officers of one union against engaging in such activities.

During the year, 22 unions were added to the register and 10
removed. The number of unions on the register at the end of the
year was 277 compared with 265 at the end of 1956. Of those
which were removed from the register, the certificates of 4 were
withdrawn upon the voluntary dissolution of the unions, the certi-
ficates of 5 were cancelled as the unions had ceased to exist, and
that of the remaining one, for contravention of the Trade Unions
Ordinance. In addition, 8 applications for registration were pend-
ing at the end of the year. Employee unions increased from 205
to 216 but their aggregate membership fell from 157,216 to 140,710.
The fall in membership was mainly due to the closing of one
large union. Employer unions increased by 1 to 56, accompanied
by an increase of membership from 5,921 to 6,422. The number
of federations remained at 5. Paid-up members of employee unions
were estimated to be 70 per cent of the total compared with 60
per cent in the previous year.

According to the audited accounts furnished by unions with
their annual returns, the income and expenditure for 1956/57 of
186 employee unions were $1,038,755.66 and $899,306.94, and

54 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

those of 54 employer unions were $614,736.33 and $528,635.15,
respectively. Income of employee unions was derived mainly from
contributions and voluntary donations, and expenditure consisted
of establishment expenses $175,069.34 (19.5 per cent), salaries and
allowances of officers $234,508.41 (26 per cent), rent, rates and
taxes $103,585.80 (11.5 per cent), stationery, printing and postage
$62,331.02 (7 per cent), auditors’ fees $17,980 (2 per cent), trade
disputes, legal expenses and compensation $22,489.29 (2.5 per cent),
benefits $12,567.68 (1.4 per cent), social, educational, sporting and
charitable activities $85,676.52 (9.5 per cent) and other outgoings
$185,098.88 (20.6 per cent).

Below are Tables showing the growth of employee unions and
the distribution of union members by industry:

Unions Unions Dissolved Unions Membership

Year Registered or Cancelled Remaining at at end

during year during year end of year of year

1947 om 118 — 126 96,060

1948 spe 10 18 118 74,367

1949 es 9 34 93 47,301

1950 i 6 8 91 48,595

1951 eas 18 2 107 58,322

1952 ant 19 4 122 65,831

1953 se 20 9 133 73,566

1954 oe 12 9 136 76,452

1955 ws 61 10 187 139,317

1956 i 27 9 205 157,216

1957 wee 20 9 216 140,710

Employer Unions Employee Unions
Industrial Division No. of Member- No. of | Member-

Unions ship Unions ship

Agriculture and Fishing ... — — 2 479

Mining and Quarrying ... 1 11 1 317

Manufacturing ... bad 14 «585 47 23,961

Construction... ae 1 68 6 5,132
Electricity, Gas, Water and

Sanitary Services sue 1 21 6 4,946

Commerce ce oe 18 1,622 23 11,453
Transport, Storage and Com-

munications ... ei 10 1,995 49 38,279

Services au ine 10 2,030 72 47,515

Mixed eke a 1 90 10 8,628

Total ... 56 6,422 216 140,710

OCCUPATIONS AND WAGES 55

Joint Consultation

During the year, Joint Committees continued to function in the
following Government Departments:
(1) The Customs Department.
(2) The Medical Department.
(3) The Postal Services Department.
(4) The Immigration Department.
(5) The Prisons Department.
(6) Department of Meteorological Services.
(7) Department of Broadcasting.
(8) The Civil Defence Department.
(9) The Telecommunications Department.

The Singapore Civil Service Joint Council, a permanent negotiat-
ing body for all categories of Government servants, was active
throughout the year.

In the three Armed Services, periodic meetings of joint councils
were held at intervals of three months under permanent constitu-
tions. In the Singapore Harbour Board, joint councils dealt with
subjects connected with conditions of service while sub-committees
with permanent constitutions represented employers and employees
in the lighterage industry, Metal Box Co. of Malaya Ltd., Yeo
Hiap Seng Sauce Factory and some Chinese bus companies. In
many industries, there were Works Committees without constitu-
tions, meeting whenever necessary to deal with problems that had
arisen, e.g. in the Singapore Traction Company.

Industrial Relations

The policy of the Government is to promote the growth of
healthy trade unions and render assistance whenever possible in
the establishment of negotiating machinery. For those industries,
which possess inadequate negotiating machinery of their own, the
Wages Councils Ordinance of 1953 provides for minimum wages
and conditions of employment to be laid down by Wages Coun-
cils, when this is shown by formal enquiry to be necessary. If a
trade dispute arises which cannot be settled by negotiation or
conciliation, the Commissioner for Labour can, with the consent
of both parties, refer the matter under the Industrial Courts Ordin-
ance of 1940, either to the Industrial Court or to arbitration for
settlement. The same Ordinance also provides for the reference of
a trade dispute by the Minister for Labour and Welfare to a Court
of Inquiry. The Court is usually asked to inquire into the causes and
circumstances of the dispute and submit a report to be laid before
the Legislative Assembly, with recommendations for settlement,

56 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

if any. The post of the Trade Union Adviser was abolished in
the middle of the year, and his functions were assumed by the
Industrial Relations Section.

Trade Disputes

There was a slight decrease in the number of strikes and lock-
outs in 1957 as compared with 1956, and the total number of
man-days lost in 1957 was the lowest as compared to the previous
three years. The following tables show the man-days lost over the
past four years and causes of strikes:

NUMBER OF NEW STRIKES EACH MONTH AND NUMBER OF
MAN-DAYS LOST 1954—57

Month Number of New Strikes

and/or Lock-outs Number of Man-days Lost
1954 1955 1956 1957 1954 1955 1956 1957
January = 2 2 2 = 513 200,208 8,183
February ... 2 2 2 1 4,314 765 60,920 68
March 1 1 3 3 1,484 163 24,936 3,556
April 1 8 6 2 14,951 7,291 25,463 3,300
May — 25 3 5 -_ 53,590 23,260 6,891
June — 98 4 — = 155,099 24,060 11,628
July 1 62 5 7 93,630 62,992 26,117 36,4924
August... a 27 2 1 _ 166,066 20,095 26,528
September 1 10 1— 7,326 65,796 21,906 4,000
October = 2 ee 5 10,478 125,707 14,136 1,447
November 1 24 #— 1 2,787 156,641 7,734 3,717
December ... 1 4 i we 236 =: 151,731 5,620 3,539
Total ... 8 275 29 27 135,206 946,354 454,455 109,349}
CAUSES OF STRIKES AND/OR LOCK-OUTS, 1957
Increase ee Conditions Other
Month of wages Dismissal oF Service SYMPathy Causes
January — 2 — _ —
February — | — — -——
March 1 2 — —— —
April 1 1 ~—— —— —
May 1 3 — — 1
June — — — —_ —
July Z 1 — — 4
August — 1 — — —
September — — — -—— —
October 1 1 — I 2
November ... — — — _ 1
December... — — — — —
Total... 6 12 — 1 8

N.B.—In many disputes there were several different issues. For the purposes of this table
the most important issue has been used to classify the cause of the strikes or lock-outs.

OCCUPATIONS AND WAGES 57

The only strike carried over from 1956 to 1957 was that called
by the Malayan Airways Local Employees’ Union on 22nd
December, 1956, involving a claim for a good-will bonus. The
22-day strike was called off on 13th January, 1957, after the
Minister for Labour and Welfare had promised to set up a Court
of Inquiry to investigate into the causes and circumstances of the
dispute. On 7th May, 1957, the employees received an ex-gratia
payment from the Malayan Airways Ltd. as suggested by the
Minister, with the result that the Court of Inquiry was not
instituted.

Two Courts of Inquiry instituted in 1956, completed their find-
ings and published their reports in 1957. The first Court, appointed
on the 21st September, 1956, to enquire into the dispute at Fred
Waterhouse Co., Ltd., published its Report on 28th January, 1957.
The Court recommended that a new election of officers of the
Fred Waterhouse Workers’ Union should be held by secret ballot,
and that the Company recognise the reconstituted Union. The
Court did not recommend the re-employment of the Union’s
President.

The other Court of Inquiry, set up on 4th October, 1956, to
enquire into the dispute between the Singapore City Council and
the Singapore City Council Labour Unions Federation, made
recommendations in its Report of 2nd February, 1957, on
re-grading certain sections of tradesmen and labour, and on adjust-
ing rentals in their quarters. However, both parties realised that
some of the recommendations were not clear; and up to the end
of the year, the Federation was still seeking clarification of the
doubtful points.

During the year, two disputes were referred to Courts of Inquiry.
The first dispute was sparked off by the alleged dismissal by the
Singapore Pilot Association of a serang, who was the Vice-
President of the Malaysian Mariners Association. The Court of
Inquiry published its findings in October 1957, stating that the
serang, of his own volition, terminated his contract of service
with the Singapore Pilot Association. The other dispute
involved the ‘work-to-rule’ and ‘go-slow’ techniques adopted
in June by the Singapore Harbour Board Staff Association
as a protest against the Singapore Harbour Board’s action
in withdrawing the pass issued to its General Secretary. The
Court completed its findings in August, suggesting, inter alia, that
the pass should be re-issued to the General Secretary, subject to
such conditions as might be agreed by the parties concerned, and

58 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

that the former employees of the Board dismissed during the ‘go-
slow’ period should be speedily re-employed.

Four other important strikes broke out during the year involv-
ing two big bus companies, the Singapore Telephone Board and
the Customs Department. The disputes in the two bus companies,
which arose from the managements’ refusal to reinstate 82 workers
who were members of the Singapore Bus Workers’ Union, were
settled after a strike of 87 days in the case of the Tay Koh Yat
Bus Company, and 110 days in the case of the Hock Lee
Amalgamated Bus Company. The strike at the Singapore Tele-
phone Board, involving about 1,060 workers, arose mainly over
the question of a pass entitling the General Secretary of the Singa-
pore Telephone Board Employees’ Union (who was also General
Secretary of the Singapore Harbour Board Staff Association) to
enter the Board’s premises. When the management had refused to
issue the pass, the Union adopted a ‘go-slow’ technique and finally
on 7th July called a strike which, although lasting 44 days, achieved
practically nothing. The revenue officers in the Customs Depart-
ment went on strike for seven days in July because of the alleged
delay in the conduct of negotiations on conditions of service on
the part of Government. The strike was called off on the inter-
vention of the Minister for Labour and Welfare.

_ At the end of the year, there was no major dispute or strike out-

standing with the exception of a lock-out at a Chinese engineering
firm, involving 23 workers, who were members of the Singapore
General Employees’ Union, a successor to the dissolved Singapore
Factory and Shop Workers’ Union.

WEEKLY HOLIDAYS IN SHOPS

The Labour Inspectorate among other duties continued to
execute the provisions of the Weekly Holidays Ordinance (Chapter
156 of 1950) which was repealed and incorporated into the Shop
Assistants Employment Ordinance.

Under the Weekly Holidays Ordinance shopkeepers were given
the choice of closing their premises on any day of the week thus
having a choice of one in seven days. The day for closing could
not be altered more often than once in three months. Up to
31st July, 1957, the Weekly Holidays Ordinance covered 17,200
shops. Of these 68 per cent chose to close on Sundays, 9 per cent
on Mondays, 7 per cent on Tuesdays and Fridays, 5 per cent on
Wednesdays and 2 per cent on Thursdays and Saturdays. The

OCCUPATIONS AND WAGES 59

Department received 183 notifications requesting a change in the
closing day. The Commissioner for Labour authorised temporary
changes of closing days to accommodate national festivals like
Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya or Deepavali.

Section 35 of the Shop Assistants Employment Ordinance
Stipulates that every shop not included in any class of shops
exempted shall remain entirely closed on either Sunday or Friday
as the employer may choose. The employer has to specify on a
blue form for Sunday or on a yellow form for Friday the day
in the week on which his shop is closed and exhibit such notice
permanently in a conspicuous place in the shop. The day chosen
cannot be altered without the approval of the Commissioner for
Labour.

From ist August, 1957, to 31st December, 1957, 11,000 counter-
foils of closing day notifications were received. 70 per cent of the
shops chose to close on a Sunday and 30 per cent on a Friday.

Many shop-keepers still attempt to contravene the provisions of
the Ordinance but alertness on the part of the Inspectorate led
to the institution of 253 successful prosecutions. Of these prosecu-
tions 177 were for first offences, 53 for second offences, 19 for
third offences and 4 for fourth and fifth offences. As in previous
years, it was found that many prosecutions could not be success-
fully pursued as shop-assistants and patrons of the shops were
reluctant to give evidence.

Shop Assistants Employment Ordinance, No. 13 of 1957

Clerks Employment Ordinance, No. 14 of 1957

The first ordinance applies to all shop assistants, 1.e. any person
-employed in or about the business of a shop whose salary is not
more than $400 per mensem. The second ordinance applies to all
clerks and industrial clerks, i.e. any person employed in or about
the business of an office whose salary is not more than $500 per
mensem.

These new ordinances govern contracts of service, payment of
salaries, holidays, hours of work and overtime, the keeping of
registers and the power to make inspections.

The Commissioner for Labour as in the Labour Ordinance, No.
40 of 1955 is also empowered to inquire into and decide any
dispute between an employee and his employer and make orders
without limitation of the amount. In making the provisions of the
new Ordinances known as widely as possible, officers of the

60 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Department received the co-operation of the Information and
Broadcasting Departments. A three-month educative campaign was
launched by the Department, in which seven Labour Inspectors
visited 5,446 commercial establishments. The provisions of the new
Ordinances were explained, queries from employers and employees
were answered on the spot and 83,000 pamphlets in English and the
vernacular languages were also distributed free of charge.

SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE

The Factory Inspectorate functions as a unit under the Senior
Inspector of Factories. He administers the Machinery Ordinance
(Cap. 223) and by virtue of its authority the Senior Inspector of
Factories has jurisdiction over all factories using machinery
operated by power, i.e. boilers, generators, plant installations, gas-
holders, vulcanisers, etc. Besides other duties the Senior Inspector
of Factories is empowered to issue Certificates of Fitness to fac-
tories to operate and to collect fees for the inspections under-
taken. The total revenue, collected by the Machinery Section in
the course of the year was $83,394. The expenditure was
$86,475.12.

Industrial Development

With the additional power available from the new Pasir Panjang
Electric Power Station, additional units of powered machinery
were installed by business enterprises, who realised that increased
mechanisation compensates for increasing labour costs.

During the year 1,147 installations were accounted for, com-
pared to 1,006 in 1956. There were 17 new gasholders. Twelve
manual woodworking factories have become mechanised. The year
saw the advent of mechanical washers and selectors in the work-
ing and sorting of pepper which traditionally had been a manual
process. Six new coffee processing factories which have installed
machinery to take the place of manual labour have been registered.
The preparation of dough is now being done by mechanical
kneaders, instead of by hand.

The Senior Inspector of Factories who also is the Chief
Inspector of Machinery requires that powered machinery in indus-
try is adequately fenced and guarded in the interests of safety and
the prevention of accidents. He tenders advice and gives his assist-
ance to operators in the design and fixing of protective fencing and
guarding.

OCCUPATIONS AND WAGES 61

During the year the following accidents were investigated :

Cases
Finger injuries necessitating amputation ae 13
Major lacerations and flesh wounds ... ok 15
Minor lacerations and flesh wounds ... 9
Fractures 2
Burns and scalds 2
Total... 41

There were nine prosecutions during the year, in all of which,
convictions were obtained. The total fines imposed for contraven-
ing the Machinery Ordinance (Cap. 223) was $1,150.

The Chief Inspector of Machinery and Senior Inspector of Fac-
tories is also the Chairman of the Board of Examiners. Engine
drivers and boiler attendants are subject to examination and if
successful are awarded Certificates of Competency by the Board.
During the course of the year, it was possible to conduct examina-
tions in Malay and two Chinese dialects. The record number of
168 candidates who applied to take the examinations, is attributed
to the increased demand for engine drivers and boiler attendants.

As the Machinery Ordinance (Cap. 223) was found inadequate
to meet the needs of industry the drafting of a new Factories
Ordinance was begun.

Workmen's Compensation

Under the Workmen’s Compensation Ordinance (Chapter 157 of
1955) which is administered by the Labour Department, employers
are required to pay compensation to workmen who suffer indus-
trial injury or death, caused by accidents arising out of, and in
the course of, employment. By ‘workman’ is meant all those who
are engaged in manual labour irrespective of their total earnings,
and other non-manual workers whose earnings do not exceed $400
a month. The maximum compensation payable on death is $7,200.
For total permanent disablement it is $12,780. For temporary dis-
ablement, the maximum half-monthly amount that can be claimed
is $65.

Most cases are settled by the Labour Department through the
mutual agreement of the parties concerned. When the workman’s

62 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

claim is not admitted by the employer, it is referred to the Arbitra-
tor who can make an order and enforce compliance. The
Commissioner for Labour, who is the Commissioner under the
Workmen's Compensation Ordinance, has no power to make an
order; he can only assent to an agreement made by both parties. It
is noteworthy that out of the 7,051 cases with which the Labour
Department dealt in 1957, only two cases were referred to the
Arbitrator.

Workmen's compensation obtained through the Department in
1957 totalled $508,343.83, which was made up as follows:

$ c.

Payments in fatal cases aie a 134.970 94
Payments in cases of permanent disablement ... 247,408 67
Payments in cases of temporary disablement ... 125,964 22
508.343 83

In addition, a total sum of $20,600 was obtained as ex-gratia
payments.

In the case of fatal accidents the Labour Department administers
the claim-monies paid through it, by means of Trustee Post
Office Savings Bank Accounts. During 1957, 41 new accounts were
opened for dependants of deceased workmen with deposits total-
ling $102,833; and at the end of the year, the value of deposits
in all accounts, including those from previous years not yet fully
disbursed, was $165,503.76. In addition, $8,602.28 was paid to
dependants in China and a further $22,426.80 was paid to depen-
dants in India.

COMPARATIVE TABLE OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS ARISING OUT OF AND IN THE
COURSE OF EMPLOYMENT, 1954—57

Number of Cases
1954 1955 1956 1957

Fatal accidents... a 54 57 54 54
Permanent disablement (over

20% disablement) ae 50 26 24 42
Permanent disablement (under

20% disablement) bee 98 148 182 125
Temporary disablement Sve “Ss0:10 4.173 6.207 6,830

Total ... 3,778 4,404 6,467 7,051

OCCUPATIONS AND WAGES 63

The above Table clearly shows that the number of accidents
reported has increased from year to year. This is an indication
that both workmen and employers are becoming more and more
conscious of their rights and obligations under the Workmen’s
' Compensation Ordinance.

Welfare

Destitute and unfit South Indian labourers and their families are
assisted to return to India by the Labour Department, half the
cost being borne by the Government and the other half by the
Indian Immigration Fund. South Indian labourers who retire
through age or sickness are also given free passages to India. The
number of South Indian labourers repatriated during the year was
56 as compared with 127 in 1956.

IV
Public Finance and Taxation

HILE 1957 has not been quite as good a trading year as 1956,

the general level of overseas trade continued to be high, and
revenue remained buoyant. Excluding Malayanisation payments,
there was a small budget surplus of $3.1 millions. The financial
position was therefore sound with a small public debt and a general
revenue balance in liquid form, equivalent to approximately 34
months’ revenue.

In the 1957 Budget, it was estimated that revenue, including the
proceeds of increased taxation on customs duties, income tax and
stamp duties would amount to $235.9 millions. Actual receipts how-
ever exceeded this estimate, and total revenue for the year
amounted to $241.5 millions. This compares with $230.9 millions in
1956 and $208.8 millions in 1955. The main items of revenue are
income tax, and customs duties on petroleum, liquors and tobacco.
In 1957 there was a levelling off of receipts from income tax, and
$65.2 millions were collected ws compared with $68.3 millions in
1956, a shortfall of $3.5 millions on the expected figure for 1957,
which reflects a slight falling off in the profits of smaller companies
in 1956 as compared with 1955. Revenue from customs duties,
however, rose from $82.3 millions in 1956 to $93.0 millions in 1957.
Revenue from all other sources, except Class V (Miscellaneous
Receipts), exceeded that in 1956, but most of the increases were
small.

The estimated total expenditure in the Budget for 1957 was
$254.6 millions. Actual expenditure in 1957 amounted to $238.4
millions, a shortfall of $16.2 millions, which was due mainly to
expenditure of about $8 millions less than the estimates on Educa-
tion and of about $3 millions less than the estimates on the Defence
Services and on Medical and Health Services. The main reason
for expenditure below the estimates was delay in the completion

PUBLIC FINANCE AND TAXATION 65

of development projects, which in turn held up purchases of equip-
ment, and recruitment of staff.

The following table summarizes the revenue and expenditure
position of the Colony over the past three years :—

1955 1956 1957
$ $ $
Revenue shad 208,833,167 230,942,417 241,531,065
Expenditure ... 197,911,662 222,518,924 238,432,454
+ 10,921,505 + 8,423,493 + 3,098,611

Details of the revenue and expenditure for the years 1955 to 1957
are given in the statement on pages 72 and 73.

Before 1955 all expenditure from capital works was shown under
the Head: Public Works Non-Recurrent in the Ordinary Estimates
of Revenue and Expenditure. Expenditure under this item was $6.6
millions in 1951, $8.1 millions in 1952, $10 millions in 1953, and
$14.6 millions in 1954. In 1955, however, Development Estimates
were framed, and funds amounting to $36 millions were provided
from the Development Reserve, augmented by a contribution of $20
millions from revenue, and $5.9 millions from Colonial Develop-
ment and Welfare Funds. Actual expenditure amounted to $45.5
millions against an estimate of $60.6 millions, due to difficulties
in obtaining and clearing sites for construction and to delays in the
delivery of essential materials. The balance remaining in the
Development Reserve Fund on Ist January, 1956, was $29.2
millions. In 1956 the Development Reserve was augmented again
by a contribution of $20 millions from revenue, and by $1.5 millions
from C.D. & W. Funds. In 1956 expenditure amounted to $33.5
millions against an estimate of $53.6 millions, due again to a lack
of suitable sites and delays in building construction. In 1957 a con-
tribution of $20 millions was again made from revenue for develop-
ment and C.D. & W. grants amounted to $0.96 million. In 1957 the
estimates envisaged expenditure on general development (including
Colonial Development and Welfare Fund projects) amounting to
$65.96 millions. As in the past, difficulty was experienced over the
acquisition, clearance and preparation of sites, and there was there-
fore again substantial under-expenditure on general development.
Actual expenditure amounted to $39.51 millions. On 31st Decem-
ber, 1957, the Development Fund amounted to $24.66 millions.

66 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION

The Treasury is responsible for the administration of the finances
of the Colony. Under its control are the main revenue collecting
departments of Income Tax, Customs and Excise, Estate Duty and
Stamp Duty.

Before the beginning of each financial year, an Annual Appro-
priation Bill is introduced into the Legislative Assembly. The Bill
is debated in the Committee of the whole Assembly before it is
passed. During the ensuing financial year, whenever supplementary
provision is required, financial motions are placed before the
Assembly. There motions are debated in Committee of Supply and
passed by the Assembly. The supplementary votes approved are
subsequently incorporated in a Final Appropriation Bill which is
introduced as soon as possible after the end of the year.

An Estimates Committee is appointed under the Standing Orders
of the Legislative Assembly. The function of this Committee is
to examine the estimates of expenditure contained in the schedule
of the Appropriation Bill and to suggest the form in which they
might be presented or to report on any economies consistent with
Government policy which might be affected. The Estimates Com-
mittee is not a policy-making body, but is only concerned with the
details of expenditure.

Expenditure, sanctioned during the year by the Appropriation
Bill and financial motions, is audited at the end of the year by the
Director of Audit. The accounts of expenditure and the Report of
the Director of Audit are then presented to the Public Accounts
Committee whose duty it is to examine the accounts to ascertain
that expenditure has been incurred in accordance with the
Estimates and that full value has been obtained for sums voted to
departments.

PUBLIC DEBT

The total Public Debt of the Colony is small and adequate pro-
vision continues to be made to service it. Provision for sinking
fund contributions and payment of interest in 1957 amounted to
$6.48 millions which was about 2.7 per cent of the total revenue of
the Colony. No loans were raised by the Singapore Government
during the year. A statement of Assets and Liabilities appears on
pages 74 and 75.

PUBLIC FINANCE AND TAXATION

PUBLIC LOANS

Description

(i) S.S. 3% Loan 1962/72
{ii) S.S. 3% War Loan 1952/59 ...
diii) S.S. 3% War Loan 1953/60...

Total, S.S.

(iv) Singapore 3% Rehabilitation

Loan 1962/70

Total, S.S. and Singapore

W@ Rerevahe by Singapore and Penang Harbour Boards by whom charges for
interest and Sinking Fund are paid.

Amount

$
30,000,000

25,000,000
10,000,000

65,000,000

50,000,000

115,000,000

Interest payable

15th April
15th October
Ist April

Ist October
15th January
15th July

15th January
15th July

67

Gi) and (iii) totalling $35,000,000 represent free gifts to H.M. Government for the
osecution of the War. All charges for interest and Sinking Fund are payable

m the General Revenue and Assets of

received from the Federation of Malaya and North Borneo.

Civ) This loan was intended to provide funds to meet extraordinary
mitments arising out of the enemy occupation of Malaya or incidental to the
economic rehabilitation of the Colony.

TAXATION

the Colony, but contributions are

financial com-

As in past years, taxation has been the largest source of revenue.
In 1957 the yield from taxation accounted for approximately 74
per cent of the Colony’s total revenue. Of this, 26.99 per cent was
derived from income tax and 40.6 per cent from Customs duties.
The following table shows the yield from taxation for 1957 com-

pared with 1955 and 1956 :—

REVENUE FROM TAXES

1956
$

1957
$

1955
$

Entertainments 5,236,054

Estates 5,990,388

Income Tax 57,779,554

Liquors 23,242,669

Petroleum 18,320,504

Stamps 1,954,619

Tobacco 33,809,860
Totalisator Bets and

Sweepstakes 3,909,063

Total 150,242,711

5,982,168
4,986,789
68,305,986
26,779,592
21,267,434
1,991,724
34,287,104

4,060,879

167,661,676

6,302,143
5,101,769
65,208,273
28,130,326
25,593,852
2,501,594
39,313,190

5,752,413

177,903,560

68 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Income Tax

Income Tax was introduced in accordance with the provisions
of the Income Tax Ordinance on January Ist, 1948. The depart-
ment responsible for making collections is a Pan-Malayan depart-
ment which is controlled in Singapore by the Comptroller of Income
Tax.

The tax is levied on incomes accruing in or derived from the
Colony, or received in the Colony from outside sources. Companies
are chargeable at the rate of 30 per cent, and resident individuals
are charged on a sliding scale with personal allowances as shown
in the table on page 69. In cases where children are maintained
and educated outside Malaya, these allowances may be increased
up to double the amounts shown in the table. Deductions are also
allowed in respect of life assurance premia and contributions to
approved pension or provident funds. Non-resident individuals are
chargeable at 30 per cent without these allowances although British
subjects or British protected individuals may be entitled to a deduc-
tion of proportionate allowances. Double taxation relief arrange-
ments are in force with the Federation of Malaya, where income
tax is levied at the same rates as in the Colony, and with the United
Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark and Norway.

A statutory body known as the Malayan Board of Income Tax
has been constituted to perform and exercise such duties and
powers as are conferred upon it under the provisions of the Ordin-
ance. In addition, it considers and decides upon such matters arising
out of the provisions of the Ordinance as may be referred to it
by either the Government or the Comptroller-General of Income
Tax.

RATES OF TAX ON INDIVIDUALS
(per annum)

(Note:—These rates are effective from Ist January, 1957)

Chargeable Income $ Rate of Tax
On the first a as 1,500 5 per cent
On the next she ats 500 6 per cent
On the next bak Le 1,000 7 per cent
On the next vase ied 2,000 8 per cent
On the next es ei 2,000 10 per cent
On the next ve Bae 3,000 12 per cent
On the next oe ie 5,000 15 per cent
On the next ae oan 20,000 20 per cent
On the next es ca 10,000 25 per cent
On the next es a 5,000 30 per cent
On the next ne 5,000 35 per cent

On every dollar exceeding ... 55,000 40 per cent

PUBLIC FINANCE AND TAXATION 69

PERSONAL ALLOWANCES
(per annum)

$
Unmarried person tee ae —_ 3,000
Married couple ie ae aa 5,000
Married couple with 1 child re eee 5,750
Married couple with 2 children _... ae 6,250
Married couple with 3 children _... as 6,750
Married couple with 4 children _.... hed 7,050
Married couple with 5 children _... soe 7,350

Thereafter $200 per child up to a maximum of 8,150

Customs and Excise Duties

Situated at the junction of the main sea routes in South-East
Asia, Singapore is essentially a free port. Duties are collected only
on intoxicating liquors, tobacco and petroleum intended for
domestic consumption under the Customs Ordinance (Cap. 160).
All other goods enter free.

The Customs Department of Singapore is divided into 3
branches, which deal with revenue collection and the prevention
of smuggling. 6 sub-stations and 18 examination stations as well
as bonded warehouses for the storage of dutiable tobacco and
liquors are maintained.

Full and preferential duties are imposed on imported liquors
and tobacco at the time of their release for local consumption.
There are also excise duties on intoxicating liquors distilled locally,
or prepared in bond and released for local consumption. Samsu,
beer and stout are the only intoxicating liquors made locally.

The scale of duties on intoxicating liquors and tobacco remained
unchanged throughout the year. The duty on petrol was increased
from 80 cents to $1 per gallon on 4th December but the duty on
kerosene continued to be levied at 5 cents a gallon. Although no
duties are charged on heavy oils, a special tax is levied under the
provisions of the Customs Ordinance on motor vehicles which are
equipped with engines using heavy oil or diesel oil as fuel, or
which are fitted with producer gas attachments.

Analytical work required by the Customs Department, mainly in
connection with the assessment of duty on intoxicating liquors and
petroleum, is carried out by the Department of Chemistry.

The prevention of smuggling by the Customs Department is
described in Chapter XIII.

70 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

CUSTOMS TARIFF

DUTIES ON INTOXICATING LIQUORS

Duties
Unit Full Prefer- Excise
ential

Sc S$ $c.
{a) Rectified spirit ee .. pg. 63 50 —_ =
4b) Brandy... me .. pg 7690 69 20 —_
(c) Brandy in bottle and accepted by
the Comptroller as not exceed-
ing 81 per cent of proof spirit g. 6000 54 00 =
(d) Rum and Gin a .. pg 63 50 —_— —
(e) Rum and Gin in bottle and accept-
ed by the Comptroller as not
exceeding 81 per cent of proof
spirit... ne ba g. 49 50 —_— =
(f) Whisky _... Sees .. pg. 76 90 — —
4g) Whisky in bottle and accepted by
the Comptroller as not exceed-
ing 81 per cent of proof spirit g. 60 00 _ _
(h) Toddy-arrak, Saki, Pineapple spirit pg. 31 00 _— —_
(i) Samsu (including Medicated Samsu) p.g. 31 00 — 27 00

(j) Bitters and Liqueurs exceeding 100
per cent of proof spirit bade g. 52 50 = ae

(k) Sparkling wines not exceeding 42
per cent of proof spirit .. g. 4400 3400 —

(J) Still wines exceeding 26 per cent
but not exceeding 42 per cent of
proof spirit oat a

<n) Still wines not exceeding 26 per
cent of proof spirit aay g. 9 40 7 50 bos

(n) Ale, Beer, Stout, Porter, Cider and
Sherry ... oie So “1g 5 20 4 80 4 80

{o) Other intoxicating liquors .. Pg. 76 90 — 4375

p.g. = proof gallon; g.= imperial gallon, the standard of liquid measure in the Colony

PUBLIC FINANCE AND TAXATION TL

DUTIES ON TOBACCO

Duties
Unit Full Preferential
$c. $c.
(a) Cigars and snuff oa ... per lb. 11 00 10 00
(b) Cigarettes per Ib. 8 60 8 10

(c) Manufactured iSbacco (éxchiding
cigars, Cigarettes and snuff)—
(i) imported in containers of
any kind for retail sale

to the public ... per Ib. 8 30 8 10
(ii) imported otherwise than
in containers of any
kind for retail sale to

the public ... per lb. 2 50 —_

(iii) provided that it is proved
to the satisfaction of
the Comptroller that
the tobacco is not to
be used for the manu-

facture of cigarettes by
power-driven mechan-
ical means ... per lb. 2 50 —
(dq) Unmanufactured tobacco ... per Ib. 4 40 4 20
(e) Tobacco not otherwise provided
for... a per lb. 12 00 —

Entertainment Duties

The Entertainments Duty Ordinance (Cap. 161) was brought
into force on Ist January, 1952, and the Comptroller of Customs
is responsible, as Comptroller of Entertainments Duty, for the
collection of duties prescribed by the Ordinance.

SCALE OF ENTERTAINMENT DUTIES
Where the payment for admission (including the

amount of duty) does not exceed 10 cents i none
exceeds 10 cents but does not exceed 20 cents wae 5 cents
exceeds 20 cents but does not exceed 30 cents as 10 cents
exceeds 30 cents but does not exceed 50 cents a 15 cents
exceeds 50 cents but does not exceed $1 beg 25 cents
exceeds $1 but does not exceed $1.50... 40 cents

and thereafter an additional 20 cents of entertainment duty for
every increase of 50 cents in payment for admission.

Only half the above rates are charged for ‘live’ entertainment such
as stage shows and musical performances. Amateur sporting,

musical and dramatic entertainments are wholly exempted from the
payment of duty.

72
HEADS OF REVENUE
Crass I
1. Licences, Excise and Internal Reveaue not otherwise

Classified: —
(a) Entertainment Duties
(6) Estate Duties a
(c) Income Tax
(d) Liquors . as
(e) Petroleum Revenue
/ f) Stamp Duties (Various Revenue Services) .
) Tobacco Duties ea ‘ eae
ty Totalisator and Smreepetenct
(4) Other Items es

Total

Crass Il

2. Fees of Court or Office, Payments for Specific Services
and Reimbursements-in-aid ma

Crass Ill

3. Posts und Telecommunications

Crass IV
4 Rents on Government Property
5. Interest:—

(a) Interest on Kovestinents
(6) Other Items

Total

Crass V

6. Miscellaneous Receipts
TOTAL, EXCLUSIVE OF LAND SALES

7. Land Sales and Premia on Grants
TOTAL, INCLUSIVE OF LAND SALES

Crass VI
8. era under the Colonial Development and Welfare
ct Me Ae vee oat

Total, Revenue

SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

GOVERNMENT OF
REVENUE AND

WITH COMPARATIVE FIGURES

1953

909,06
7,196,677

14,267,126

15,895,048

5,621,665

1,436,358
2,834,550

4,270,908

9,907,576
207,401,711

790,078
208,191,789

641,378

1956

5,982,168
apo ll es

9;508,263

14,369,773

17,711,836

5,891,908

1,313,151
869,501

4,182,652

10,829,670
230,155,778

786,639
230,942,417

1957

501,
39,313,190
$,752,4
11,297, Wl

--» 157,439,388 177,169,939 189,200,671

15,998,751

17,933,833

6,057,858

3,140,749
3,114,615

6,255,364

4,690,138
240,136,615

1,394,450
241,531,065

. 208,833,167 230,942,417 241,531,065

PUBLIC FINANCE AND TAXATION

SINGAPORE
BXPENDITURE

FOR 1955 aNnD 1956
EXPENDITURE

. Governor
Judicia!
- Council of Ministers

Legislature a
Public Secs Commission

SOWISARYN

13. Film Censorship
14. Gardens, Botanic
15. Information Services

. Po Sis
17. Ha ep Office .

19. Registry of Marriages
20. Statistics ie aes

92. ial Assignee ‘and Public Trustee

23. Treasury

24. Charge on Account of the Public Debt _

25. Pensions, Retired Allowances, Gratuities, etc.
36. Contributions and Charitable Allowances

27. Accountant-General

28. Customs and Excise

29. Estate Duty and Stamp Offices

AD Micutey of Coa: d Ind

31. Ministry o mmerce an ustry

32. Agricultural a

33. Co-operative Development

34. ee Control .

35. Fisheri ene

36. Forest.

37. Mine and Exports Control Registration

39. Spal e Surveys

40. Supp

41. rede. Marks Registry

42. Veterinary

43. Ministry of Local Government, Lands and Housing
44. Land and District Offices

49. Medical and Health
$0. Ministry of Labour and Welfare
51. pouueretoe and maou

$3. Social Welfare ...

$4. Ministry of Communications and Works
55. Civil Aviation ... ne

56. Meteorological Services

57. Postal Services ...

58. Public Works ...

59. Public Works, Recurrent

60. Telecommunications

Commissioner.

Ministry of Education

Ministry of Health

Miscellaneous Services re baie
Public Works, Non-Recurrent ua

Total, Expenditure

1955

327,824
1,638,188

$,310

30,380,502
306,955
22,384,538

8, 694, 823
2,316,983

32,265,629
779,471

197,911,662 222,518,924

73

4,374,053

238,432,454

74 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

GOVERNMENT OF
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND

LIABILITIES
$ ¢. $ c $ c.
Deposits :—
1946 3% Rehabilitation Loan ... ny Sx $0,000,000 00
Less:—Expenditure, 1946... ... 13,684,646 61
Expenditure, 1947 __... ..- 12,264,756 68
Expenditure, 1948 3,788,301 53
Expenditure, 1949... --. 2,422,485 91
Expenditure, 1950 __... .-- 3,622,374 50
Expenditure, 195! eas -. 1,186,775 59
Expenditure, 1952... 2,831,164 27
Expenditure, 1953... an 595,994 40
Expenditure, 1954... he 162,912 26
Expenditure, 1955 __... bane 48,867 39
Expenditure, 1956 __... ean 236,983 82
Expenditure, 1957 __... as 19,829 79
—_—_——_— 40,535,092 75
———————_ 9,464,907 25
War Risks (Goods) Insurance Deficit Fund oe 1,298,599 07
Development Fund oe ae — 24,660,965 56
Insurance Companies, etc. sand iss di 8,267,824 35
Courts ... See ies “os dee 1,772,300 36
Bankruptcy ree nts as on 1,802,755 47
Mercantile Marine Fund ex bee se 881,180 85
Companies Liquidation Account wae P 292,797 79
Miscellaneous fad ae ses Sie 17,265,058 95
—————— 56,241,482 40
Drafts and Remittances nee ss ou _ 423,665 05
GENERAL REVENUE BALANCE:—
Balance as on Ist January, 1957 Ge Bed 147,278,713 03
Add Amount transferred from Special Reserve Fund ... 49,934,998 39
197,213,711 42
Deduct:—
Amount of loans outstanding at 1-1-57, formerly. aDPSaring
as Assets, charged to Expenditure ie 118,658,977 84
78,554,733 58
Surplus and Deficit Account:— :
e.
Revenue for 1957 oa .-- 241,531,064 82
Expenditure for 1957 sie soe 238,432,454 33
——— 3,098,610 49
81,653,344 07
Deduct Depreciation of Investments, 1957 aes 3,010,845 67
Total ... 144,772,553 10
eee
Notes:—

(i) There is a contingent liability of $6,474,823.18 as at 31st December, 1957, on the general
revenues of the Colony, in respect of an excess of liabilities over assets of the singapore
Post Office Savings Bank.

(ii) Under Section 7 of Ordinance No. 33 of 1946, the Singapore Government is liable to
meet out of general revenues any deficiency in the Singapore Victory Savings Certi-
ficate Fund. The excess of liabilities over assets as at 31st December, 1957, is $115,513.14.

PUBLIC FINANCE AND TAXATION 75

SINGAPORE
LIABILITIES AS AT 31st DECEMBER, 1957
ASSETS
$ Cc. $ c. $ c.
Casn:—
Cash in Treasuries ... tus cae —_—
Cash in Banks ees oe --- 9,298,765 49
Cash with Crown Agents ase as 8,411 68
——____ 9,307,177 17
Cash in Transit on ae kas oc 1,733 04
Joint Consolidated Fund er a ~ 257,142 86
——_———— 9,566,053 07
INVESTMENTS:—
Surplus Funds Sterling Securities ss see $4,294,677 78
Surplus Funds Dollar and Rupee Securities ‘es 13,765,254 27
Development Fund ne ss ents 30,271,790 61
Insurance Companies, etc. zak bee ae 8,267,824 35
Courts ... 4 “se ae eka $13,979 08
Bankruptcy sae Ses act ads 661,264 93
Mercantile Marine Fund swt aes re 686,473 82
Companies Liquidation Account ei oe 83,074 86
Miscellaneous oon el saa Si 217,012 25
——_—___—_———. 108,761,351 95
ADVANCES:
Building Loans oe eh ne a 4,678,997 04
Other Governments i eae wale 878,113 05
Miscellaneous es ie aes wae 20,789,975 45
————— 26,347,085 54
Imprests as oes ae oes 98,062 54

Total ... 144,772,553 10

(iii) homst of $14,500,000 in 1954 and $2,500,000 in 1956 m a total of $17,000,000
to aia on eecount of't the acquisition af assets of the Oriental
Telephone and Electric Sy co “Felon which there will be issued, in

Sue cours: tin Sin eanore

ordinary stock hone Board under Section 32 of

Singapore MA bee Board Ordinance, !

(iv) ep amount of $90,641.59 is due to Government, a sist December, 1957, by the Singa-
Harbour Board, as Managers of the Telok Ayer Reclamation Area and Clifford

(v) ia acnount of $36,777.89 in respect of the undernoted C.D. and W. Schemes, is recover-
able fi fon Colonial Development and Welfare Funds and is for the credit of Develop-
ment Fun

76 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Estate Duty

Estate Duty is a duty chargeable under the provisions of the
Estate Duty Ordinance (Cap. 162) at a graduated rate on the
principal value of:

(a) all property situate in the Colony whether movable or
immovable, settled or not settled, which passes or is
deemed to pass on the death of any person;

(b) all movable property situate outside the Colony which
passes or is deemed to pass on the death of any person
who was domiciled in the Colony.

The principal value is the open market value ascertainable as
at the date of death.

The rates of estate duty at present in force range from 5 per
cent on estates over $10,000 in value to 60 per cent on estates
valued at over $4 millions.

The total revenue from estate duty collected during 1957 was
$5,099,149.49 as against the sum of $4,986,788.68 collected in 1956.

Duty on Private Lotteries

Under the Private Lotteries Ordinance (Cap. 167) a private
lottery is unlawful unless a permit has been granted by the
Financial Secretary. A private lottery is one which is confined to
members of a society established or conducted for purposes not
connected with gaming, wagering or lotteries. One of the condi-
tions of a permit is that no profit shall accrue to any individual
person from the conduct of the lottery. Another condition is that
no commission either in money or by way of free tickets or chances
shall be payable in respect of the sale of tickets or chances.

During 1957, 231 applications for permits, including 168 for
renewal of permits for continuous lotteries, were received and
approved.

A duty is chargeable at the rate of 20 per cent on the total
amount raised under a private lottery. A sum of $317,246.25 was
collected during 1957 as against the sum of $295,640.61 in 1956.

Corporation Duty

Corporation Duty is imposed by way of compensation to the
revenue for the non-liability to estate duty of certain property
belonging to or vested in bodies corporate or unincorporate. Its
collection is governed by the provisions of the Corporation Duty
Ordinance (Cap. 159).

PUBLIC FINANCE AND TAXATION 17

The duty is 3 per cent on the net annual value, income or profits
of all movable or immovable property held by such bodies after
deducting all necessary outgoings, charges and expenses properly
incurred in the management of such property.

The amount collected during 1957 was $24,005.56 from 85
bodies as compared to $21,859.25 from 89 bodies in 1956.

Stamp Duties

Stamp Duties are payable on a wide range of commercial and
legal documents specified in the Stamp Ordinance (Cap. 170). The
net amount collected in 1957 in respect of stamp duties was
$2,506,234.76 and that in respect of fees for adjudication of stamp
duty on documents was $857.

The duty on conveyance of immovable property was increased to
2 per cent of the consideration money on December 4th, 1957.

Duties on Totalisator Bets and Sweepstakes

The Betting and Sweepstake Duties Ordinance (Cap. 158)
provides for the levy of duty in respect of totalisator bets and
sweepstakes. The rate of duty on the former is 10 per cent and
that on the latter was increased from 20 to 30 per cent in Novem-
ber, 1956. No change in these rates occurred during the year. Duties
collected amounted to $5,752,413.10 in 1957, an increase of
$1,691,570.80 over the amount collected in 1956, which was
$4,060,842.30.

CITY COUNCIL

The financial affairs of the City Council are governed to a very
large extent by the provisions of the Local Government Ordinance,
No. 24 of 1957, (superseding the former Municipal Ordinance)
which specifies the purposes for which the Council may expend
the Municipal Fund and the procedure to be followed in preparing
the Municipal Budget. In practice, draft estimates for the coming
financial year are prepared by each departmental head in consulta-
tion with the City Treasurer and are then considered by the relevant
committees of the City Council and, finally, as a whole, by the
Finance and General Purposes Committee. After the Budget has
been passed by the City Council, heads of departments are respon-
sible for keeping their expenditure within the authorised amounts,
but the approved budget may be varied from time to time during
the financial year by supplemental budgets.

78 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

CITY
INCOME AND
(excluding
INCOME 1955 1956 1957
$ $ $
CONSOLIDATED
1. Recerprs mn Arp or SPECIFIC SERVICES:—
(a) Fees and Charges ae ase 7,223,855 7,663,361 7,884,006
(6) Fines under Municipal Ordinance, By-laws, etc 402,494 398,581 418,828
(c) Rental and Hire Charges es 1,086,010 1,166,836 1,399,991
(d) Sales es 20,307 $2,912 $9,922
(e) Other Income:—
(i) Interest 22,696 24,291 106,192
(ii) Proportion of costs charged to Trading
Departments, etc. 2,013,634 2,184,339 2,285,553
(iii) Other 108,896 30,316 77,146
(f) Contributions to Special Services:~ — .
(i) Non-Capitel ee ae 38,398 116,417 208,470
(ii) Capital ee Med 80,180 125,148 61 86!
10,996,470 11,762,201 12,501,969
2. INCOME OTHER THAN RECEIPTS IN AID:—
(a) Consolidated Rate... ee oe = «17,264,379 19,227,355 20,436,590
(5) Contribution in lieu of Rates... - 2,998,075 4,435,428 4,589,816
(c) Contributions to mate Fund by cratne
_ @) Licences under Municipal Ordinance (Part XIII) 401,790 414,330 442,924
(e) Licences under Road Traffic Ordinance (after
deduction of contribution to Rural Board) 6,138,663 6,765,346 1,487,583
Royalty and on xibaton under Singapore
ia fos ss «659,382 «=«s«892,893 ‘1,057,168
(g) Taxes under eencaal Ordinance Section 82 392,127 406,971 451,273
(4) War Damage Compensation 501,439 ~ —_
3. EXTRAORDINARY Recerprs—Sale, etc. of Land 646,652 273,467 73,959
. Total, Consolidated Rate Fund 40,528,977 44,177,991 47,041,275
TRADING
Electricity Department 25,579,682 29,428,312 33,444,413
Gas Department 4,395,250 4,230,610 4,350,859
Water Department ... ies aes 16,275,230 16,792,694 16,503,475
Total, Trading Departments 46,250,162 50,451,616 $4,298,747
Grand Total 86,779,139 94,629,607 101,340,022
a IE

PUBLIC FINANCE AND TAXATION

COUNCIL
EXPENDITURE 1957

Loan Account)

EXPENDITURE

RATE FUND

1. The President and City Councillors...
2. Architects and Building Surveyor’s Department
3. Assessment and Estates Department ... See

. Fire Department te ose oes
. Health Officer’s Department

. Markets and Hawkers’ Department es
. Organisation and Methods Department ave
10. Secretariat ae

11. Treasury rere

12. Vehicles Departmen be

13. Veterinary Surgeon’s Department ak x4
14. Victoria Theatre and Memorial Hall ...

15. Other Expenditure

oaeraus

Transfer from Loan Account ‘ae oe

Total, Consolidated Rate Fund

DsPARTMENTS
Electricity Department ase ae wee
Water Department ... _ eos eee
Total, Trading Departments
Grand Total

. City Cleansing (and Hawkers’) Department fe
City Engineer’s Department noe eee

79

1955 1956 1957

$ $ $
271,394 281,021 439,894
2,234,831 2,501,448 2,536,113
489,704 555,020 «509,682
5,767,307 6,130,335 5,525,209
13,647,183 "16,161,714 17,824,732
2,251,155 1,963,115 2,318,319
6,190,765 6,339,436 6,245,981
ze ss ‘1,225,669
206,059 185,914 189,621
750,900 741,306 «= «641,382
2,166,903 2,229,660 ‘2,425,714
1,056,709 1,080,045 ‘1,092,812
338,158 302,773 =»: 323,807
335,691 464,763 -—«-‘717,465
178,934 239,499 66,167
35,885,693 39,176,049 42,082,567
12934 — 108,068
35,898,627 39,176,049 42,190,635
26,891,757 30,673,893 34,072,462
4,644,657 4,603,463 5,552,569
15,700,029 15,266,638 17,175,454
47,236,443 50,543,996 56,800,485
83,135,070 89,720,045 98,991,120

80 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

The maximum rates which the City Council may levy on pro-
perty Owners are prescribed by law. The rates actually levied for
the year 1957 were : —

General purpose ... 30 per cent of assessed value of the property
(since 1953—maximum).

Improvement rate ... 2 per cent (since 1928—the maximum is 5 per
cent and the proceeds are handed over to the
Singapore Improvement Trust, see Chapter
VIII.

Education rate ... 2 per cent (since 1920—the maximum: the
proceeds are handed over to the Education
Finance Board, see Chapter IX).

The rates and taxes are paid into a consolidated rate fund and are.
kept separate from the monies belonging to the trading depart-
ments of the City Council. Further information on the City Council
is given in Chapters XIV and XVIII.

The Municipal Budget for 1957 provided for a total expenditure
of nearly $157 millions as compared with $136 millions for 1956.
Of the total anticipated expenditure of $157 millions, nearly $109
millions were to be met from revenue (as compared with $98
millions in 1956) and slightly under $48 millions from loans (as
compared with $38 millions in 1956). Once again, therefore, the
Budget was the largest in the history of the Municipality.

The Consolidated Rate Fund Budget provided for the expendi-
ture of over $15 millions on special services projects of which, in
accordance with the policy over the past few years, the largest
share (nearly $6 millions) was for sewerage extensions. Other sub-
stantial provisions for special services included nearly $5 millions
for road improvements and $1.1 millions each for surface water
drainage and parks, open spaces and swimming baths. The budgets
of the three trading departments (electricity, gas and water) pro-
vided for a further expenditure of over $6.5 millions from revenue
on special services projects.

Two supplemental budgets providing for additional expenditure
of over $8 millions were passed during the course of the year there-
by increasing the total estimated revenue expenditure for the year
to over $117 millions. Actual expenditure, however, fell short of
this figure by some $18 millions and totalled slightly under $99
millions, as shown in the statement on page 79.

PUBLIC FINANCE AND TAXATION 81

The supplemental budgets also increased the estimated Loan
Account expenditure for the year to nearly $65 millions, but actual
expenditure fell considerably short of the estimates as shown in the
following statement:

CITY COUNCIL LOAN ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE

1957
$ $
Consolidated Rate Fund:
Developmental Roads... 5 260,727
New Sewage Disposal Works ... 3,585,521
City Hall Alterations, etc. ‘os 831,443
4,677,691
Electricity Department:
Pasir Panjang Power Station ... 6,404,158
St. James Power Station viz. T2713 72
Other Extension Schemes ... 9,534,600
New Showrooms, Offices and Stores Cr. 17,467
17,198,663
Gas Department:
Oil Gas Plants ae ... 1,691,978
Other Extensions va ... 1,413,862
3,105.840
Water Department: :
Extension Scheme aise ag ... 7,463,364
32,445,558

To assist in financing the above expenditure the Legislative
Assembly in April, 1957, authorised the increase of the amount to
be raised by the 5 per cent Debenture Stock 1956 (1966-76) from
$30 millions to $50 millions. A total of $46.5 millions of this loan

82

SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

had been taken up by 31st December, 1957. Details of the public
debt of the City Council are given in the following table:

CITY COUNCIL OF SINGAPORE
Public Debt as at 31st December, 1957

Description Amount ates
$ c.
DOLLAR DEBENTURB STOCKS, ETC.
-4% Singapore Municipal ee
Stock 1913 (1963) Series B 754,810 00 3ist March 30th Sept.
434% Singa ae Municipal Debentures
BLP Poa 1930 (1970/1980) 6,000,000 00 Ist March Ist Sept.
3%S re Municipal Debenture
Sick £1935 ( (1975/1985) .-- 4,000,000 00 Ist April Ist Oct.
ingapore Municipal pevcors
a Sea 1937 (1962)... .. 2,750,000 00 15th May 15th Nov.
3% Singapore Municipal Debenture
Stock 7938 (1958) ss .-- 4,000,000 00 15th May 15th Nov.
4% Singapore Municipal Debenture
Stocks 1939 (1959) “ ... 5,000,000 00 3Ist March 30th Sept.
33% Singapore Municipal Debenture
Stock 1948 ee .-- 30,000,000 00 20th Jan. 20th July
38% Sores ty icipal Debenture
1 agents) - 25, 000,000 00 3lst March 30th Sept.
Sing apes cio ipal oe
54 1952 (1960/1972) © 25,000,000 0O Ist March Ist Sept.
% Singapore City Council Deben-
i Fh Stock 1953 (1963/1973) .-- 30,000,000 00 Ist May Ist Nov..-
-4% Singapore City Council Parente
Stock 1954 (1965/1977) . 30,000,000 00 3ist March 30th Sept.
-4% Singapore City Couacil Debenture
Stock 1955 (1970/1980) - 30,000,000 00 Ist June Ist Dec.
5% Singapore Ci Dounce) Deventure
Stock 1956 6 (1966) 1976) - 46,500,000 00 Ist May Ist Nov.
Se ca of the ike of Singa-
pore 3% Loan 1949 .-- 1,800,000 00 31st March 30th Sept.
‘Government of the Colony of Singa-
pore interest-free Loan 1956 4,000,000 00 oon —
Total, Dollar Deben
Stocks, etc. re 4A, 804,810 00
STERLING DEBENTURE STOCK
-4% Singapore Municipal Debenture
Stock 1913 (1963) Series B (£96,171

at 2/4)... .- 824,322 86 3ist March 30th Sept.

---245,629,132 86

Total, Public Debt

Earliest date
of Redemption

30th Sept., 1963
_ Ist Sept., 1970
Ist April, 1975
15th May, 1962
1Sth May, 1958
30th Sept., 1959
20th July, 1968
30th Sept., 1961
Ist Sept., 1962
Ist Nov., 1963
31st Mar., 1965
Ist Dec., 1970
Ist May, 1966
30th Sept., 1961

1967

30th Sept., 1963

Note:—There are Sinking Fund accumulations amounting to $51.9 millions as at 31st Decem-

‘Der, 1957.

PUBLIC FINANCE AND TAXATION 83°

RURAL BOARD

The jurisdiction of the Rural Board covers the area of all that
portion of Singapore Island outside City limits, and the outlying.
islands within Colony waters.

The main sources of revenue of the Rural Board are rates,
various licence fees and vehicle taxes. The revenue obtained is.
insufficient to meet the total expenditure and the deficit is covered.
by a contribution from the Singapore Government. Expenditure has
shown an appreciable increase over the past three years as a result
of increasing development of the rural areas.

With a view to the eventual taking over of the administration of
the Southern Islands, the Land Office has been provided with funds.
for this purpose. The Rural Board provides the amenities for these-
islands, but expenditure in this connection will be met by the
Land Office in future. In return, revenue collected by the Rural
Board from the Southern Islands will be paid to the Land Office-
through an adjustment in the accounts at the end of the year.

During 1957, the total expenditure was $5,251,958. Revenue
amounted to $4,445,618. A statement of revenue and expenditure
for 1957 is given at pages 84 and 85.

SINGAPORE IMPROVEMENT TRUST

The Singapore Improvement Trust, incorporated under the:
Singapore Improvement Ordinance in 1927, is the statutory im-
provement and planning authority in the Colony. Since 1947 the
Trust has also acted extensively as Government’s agent for public
housing in Singapore. The Trust also discharges sundry other
agency functions on behalf of Government, e.g. management of
properties reverted to the Crown; supervision and maintenance of
two Government low cost housing schemes at Kolam Ayer Lane
and Upper Aljunied Road; re-housing and resettlement on behalf
of Government.

The finances of the Trust, governed by the provisions of Part III
of the Ordinance of 1927, require the submission of an anuual
budget and annual accounts to be approved by the Minister of
Local Government, Lands and Housing. The Minister also appoints.
auditors to examine and report upon the accounts. Revenue expen-.
diture for the year under review totalled $12.9 millions against.
income of $13.6 millions, yielding a surplus of $0.7 million.

84 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

REVENUE

Rates (property assessment, etc.)

Licences (dogs, pigsties, public markets, etc.)
Fees (building plans, petroleum storage, etc.)
Others, including operation of quarry
Contributions from Colony Government

Proportion of vehicle licence fees collected by
City Council under Road Traffic Ordinance,
1941... ve ‘a see

Total

1955

1,262,937

156,238
681,386
254,007
630,281

855,525

RURAL
REVENUE AND

1956 1957

$ $

1,629,073 2,342,003
178,729 193,402
776,740 519,266
345,054 367,624
590,967 806,340
962,646 1,023,323

..- 3,840,374 4,483,209 5,251,958

PUBLIC FINANCE AND TAXATION

BOARD
EXPENDITURE
EXPENDITURE

RECURRENT EXPENDITURE

Health:—
Conservancy
Anti-Mosquito Works
Other Measures

General:—
Salaries and Allowances.
Contribution to Fire Brigade
Street Lighting ... sue
Fire Hydrants and Water Supply
Other

Public Works:—
Maintenance of Roads and Bridges

Maintenance of Bukit Timah Quarry ...

Other
SPECIAL EXPENDITURE

Resurfacing and Sealing of Roads
Other

Total

1955

710,143
319,820
157,815

582,290

95,000
121,928
319,077
133,306

417,472
191,532
186,240

270,200
335,551

1956

806, 162
339,403
203,126

570,386

95,000
158,565
464,922
233,604

448,871
234,798
208,250

373,506
346,616

85

1957

834,748
393,750
222,833

1,020,308

95,000
202,000
502,020
250,888

605,672
257,774
258,451

493,128
115,386

..- 3,840,374 4,483,209 5,251,958

86 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Housing

Since 1948, Government has made loans to the Trust to fin-
ance public housing in the Colony. The first three loans totalling
$22.5 millions were at 3 per cent interest, repayable by fixed
instalments over 60 years; subsequently $60.9 millions and $12.5
millions were approved repayable at 4 and 3 per cent over 60
years and 40 years respectively on the annuity basis. At the begin-
ning of 1957 a loan of $44.737 millions was approved, repayable
on the annuity method over 60 years bearing interest at 5} per
cent, bringing the total of approved loans to $140.637 millions in a
period of 9 years.

Capital expenditure in 1957, which exceeded $20 millions, is the
greatest in any one year of the Trust’s existence, and brought
capital spendings financed from Government loans to $99 millions.

Government, in accordance with its White Paper on Housing
Subsidy Policy published in January 1957: (i) relieved the majority
of tenants of payment of service charges (i.e. lifts and common
lighting) and conservancy charges; and (ii) in the case of all new
housing units completed, fixed rentals in relation to the tenant’s
ability to pay. In consequence, the rent roll for 1957 fell to $9.5
millions as compared with $9.7 millions for 1956. Approximately
one-third of rent income was utilised to meet loan repayments and
a further third in payment of City rates.

Implementation of two other provisions in the White Paper
on Housing Subsidy Policy has been deferred by Government, viz.
authority to institute a Repairs Fund and the payment by Gov-
ernment of a revenue subsidy to meet the housing revenue
deficiency.

Improvement

The Trust levies an Improvement Rate on all properties in the
City area to finance its statutory functions, and an equivalent con-
tribution is also made by Government. The rate for 1957 was fixed
at 2 per cent of annual value and yielded $1.6 millions, the Govern-
ment contribution totalling $1.55 millions. This covers the costs of
planning control but leaves little for major town improvement.

SINGAPORE HARBOUR BOARD

The Singapore Harbour Board is constituted under the Ports
Ordinance and consists of a Chairman (who is also General
Manager) and not more than ten other members consisting of re-
presentatives of the shipping and trading communities and one
senior Government official.

PUBLIC FINANCE AND TAXATION 87

The accounts of the Board are audited by the Government
auditors. The Board is required to be self-supporting and is
empowered, under the provisions of the Ordinance, to frame scales
of charges in respect of the services provided within the area under
its control. These charges, together with rents from lands and
buildings, constitute the main revenue of the Board. Any surplus
which remains from revenue after expenditure has been met is
devoted to the improvement and development of the existing
facilities.

The Board is possibly unique as a port authority in that it not
only employs directly all labour engaged in working cargo both
on the wharves and on vessels, but it also owns and operates two
dockyards capable of effecting major repairs to vessels of the largest
class. It employs approximately 10,000 persons the majority of
whom are housed on the Board’s estate.

It has been the policy of the Board to charge rates as low as
are compatible with the proper maintenance of its assets and the
grant of increased living standards to its employees, and the extent
to which this policy has been successful may be gauged from the
fact that, compared with 1949, the aggregate net registered tonnage
of vessels berthed and the total tonnage of cargo handled have
increased by 60 per cent. Since 1949, over $26 millions have been
expended from reserve funds in betterment and development, in-
cluding $8 millions on the construction of a new graving dock.
Major development programmes now in progress are estimated to
cost $40 millions. An account of the Board’s undertaking is to be
found in Chapter XV.

COLONIAL DEVELOPMENT AND WELFARE SCHEMES

Under the 1945 and 1950 Colonial Development and Welfare
Acts, the allocation to Singapore is $7,324,286. Under the 1955
Act, Singapore was given no territorial allocation, but unspent
balances from the previous allocation were still available to the
Colony. There remained from these, to be specifically allotted, a sum
of approximately $482,898 and the question of utilising this balance
was still under consideration. In addition, applications can be made
for assistance from the general reserve of £12,500,000 which the
Secretary of State has set aside for new schemes outside the allo-
cations made under the new 1955 Act. Finally, Singapore can
apply for assistance from the central allocation for research, higher
education, surveys, etc.

88 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

During 1957 the following seven schemes were in operation :

!. Outer Ring Road: This scheme, approved by the Secretary
of State in 1955, was held up longer than expected on account of
the difficulty in removing squatters from certain areas. When this
had been done the general earthworks were carried out by the
Singapore Improvement Trust and completed about the middle
of 1957. In September, 1957, the roadworks contract started and by
the end of the year, subsidiary earthworks had been carried out
together with the construction of certain main drains and retaining
walls. During this period, progress was retarded because of the
need for laying mains and cables which could only be done after
operations by the Singapore Improvement Trust had been com-
pleted. The road when completed will connect the dock and wharf
area at Tanjong Pagar with the main road from Singapore to the
Federation of Malaya. It is intended to divert most of the heavy
traffic away from the centre of the City. The road will be built in
three sections with a total length of about four miles. Only the first
section, estimated to cost about $1.7 million, will be financed from
C.D. & W. funds.

2. Adult Education Centre: Work on the Headquarters Build-
ing for the Singapore Council for Adult Education commenced in
April 1955 and in May 1956 progress by the contractor deteriorated
to such an extent that work was stopped pending an enquiry which
led to the subsequent termination of the contract in October 1956.
A new contract was negotiated in November 1956 and the building
was satisfactorily completed on 29th March, 1957. The cost of
the building was $350,000 including furniture and equipment.

3. Urban Health Centre: Progress on the Urban Health Centre
project was good and by the end of the year it was almost
completed. The estimated total capital cost of the project is $1.5
millions and up to the end of the year $1,110,862.28 had been spent.
The running costs of the Centre are to be borne by the Singapore
Government, the University of Malaya and the City Council. When
completed it will provide school medical and dental clinics and
child welfare facilities for the City area.

4. Storm Warning Radar: In June 1957 the Secretary of State
approved a grant of $202,285 from the joint allocations from C.D.
& W. Funds to Singapore and the Federation of Malaya towards
the estimated total cost of $259,385 for the installation of three
storm warning radars, of which one is to be installed in Singapore—
at the International Airport—to give warning to aircraft, coastal

PUBLIC FINANCE AND TAXATION 89

shipping and fishermen of the approach of storms. Singapore’s
share of the cost was $28,550. The equipment arrived in October.

5. Boys Hostels (Two): The Secretary of State approved the
building of two Boys’ Hostels, one at Dunman Road and the other
at Bukit Batok at a total cost of $180,000 each, of which $150,000
would be met from C.D. & W. funds. Working boys without homes
of their own and boys discharged from approved schools or who
have been placed on probation provided they reside in a hostel,
will be able to find suitable accommodation in the proposed
buildings.

There was no progress in 1957 in the construction of either
hostel, the building of which had been delayed because of the
difficulty of finding suitable sites and the many commitments of the
P.W.D. Towards the end of the year, however, suitable sites had
been selected, a revised estimate of the total cost drawn up and
an application for supplementary vote for $91,000 to be met entirely
from Colony funds approved. Work is expected to begin in 1958.

' 6. Botanic Research Scheme: The whole cost of £1,500 of this
scheme falls on C.D. & W. funds. The scheme enabled a research
worker to spend one year in Singapore and the Federation of
Malaya and carry out a study on the developmental anatomy
of the bark of tropical trees. Bark characters are of economic im-
portance because bark is the source of the majority of vegetable
resins and gums exported from Malaya. The research worker
arrived in the latter half of December 1956 and left Singa-
pore in December 1957. The remainder of the research will be
carried out by him at the University of Cambridge, and a complete
report on the work will be submitted to the Secretary of State.

7. Regional Research Laboratory: The Secretary of State
agreed to the establishment, with C.D. & W. funds, of a Regional
Fisheries Research Station at Singapore. The total cost of the
scheme up to 30th September, 1957, was estimated at $2.17 millions ©
to which a grant of $1.86 millions was made from C.D. & W.
funds to meet all the capital expenditure and the U.K. share
of the recurrent costs. The recurrent costs of the scheme were
borne jointly by the U.K. and the Malayan and Bornean Govern-
ments. The provision for the scheme expired on 30th September,
1957.

V

Currency and Banking

CURRENCY

NDER a Currency Agreement between the Governments of

the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak, North Borneo
and Brunei, which became effective on Ist January, 1952, the
Malaya and British Borneo Currency Commissioners have the sole
right to issue notes and coin in these five territories and, as a
backing for the currency, they manage a Currency Fund consisting
of sterling securities. The Board consists of five members—the
Financial Secretary of Singapore, the Minister of Finance, Federa-
tion of Malaya, one member appointed jointly by the Governors of
Sarawak, North Borneo and the British Resident, Brunei, while the
remaining two are appointed by the participating governments
acting in concert. The Chairman of the Commissioners is the
Financial Secretary of Singapore.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF CURRENCY, MALAYA AND BRITISH BORNEO

Members
T. M. Hart, Esq., C.M.G., Col. Sir Henry H. S. Lee, K.B.z.,
Chairman. J.P.
A. N. Goode, Esq., 0.B.B. G. A. P. Sutherland, Esq., c.B.z.,
Dr. F. C. Benham, C.M.G., C.B.E. J.P.

Currency issued by the Board is the only legal tender in the
Colony. The standard unit of currency is the Malayan dollar,
which is on the sterling exchange standard and fixed at 2s. 4d. This
currency is also legal tender throughout the Federation of Malaya,
Sarawak, North Borneo and Brunei.

The following types of currency are issued and were in circula-
tion as legal tender during the year:

(i) currency notes bearing the inscription of the Board of Commis-
sioners of Currency, Malaya, and dated not earlier than lst
July, 1941, in denominations of one, five, ten, twenty, and

fifty cents, for the payment of any amount not exceeding
two dollars;

CURRENCY AND BANKING Of

(ii) currency notes bearing the inscription of the Board of Commis-
sioners of Currency, Malaya, and dated not earlier than Ist
July, 1941, in denominations of one, five, ten, fifty, one
hundred, one thousand, and ten thousand dollars, for the
payment of any amount;

(iii) currency notes bearing the inscription of the Board of Commis-
sioners of Currency, Malaya and British Borneo, and bearing
the effigy of Her Majesty the Queen and dated 21st March,
1953, in denominations of one, ten, fifty, one hundred, and
ten thousand dollars for the payment of any amount;

(iv) cupro-nickel coin in denominations of five, ten, twenty, and fifty
cents, for any amount not exceeding two dollars;

(v) copper and bronze coin in denominations of one quarter and one
half of one cent, and one cent, for any amount not exceeding
two dollars.

All notes and cupro-nickel coins mentioned above were issued
into circulation after September 1945; copper and bronze coins
have been issued both before and since the war.

No figures of actual circulation can be given for Singapore alone.
The figures given below show total currency in circulation on 31st
December, 1957, in the several territories, including currency which
may be circulating in adjoining countries.

3S
Notes __... ea ah 943,100,508
Cupro-Nickel coins ... se 39,877,304
Nickel coins - is 107,500
Copper and Bronze coins 3s 4,104,107

987,189,419

Currency circulation increased by $3.9 millions on account of
sterling remittances and withdrawals of demonetised pre-invasion
notes and silver coins. Total sterling sales during the year 1957
amounted to £2,380,000 and purchases to £2,850,000.

BANKING

In 1957 two new banks commenced business in the Colony,
viz. Bangkok Bank Ltd., and Bank of Tokyo Ltd.

Banks transacting business in the Colony during 1957 were as
follows :

1. American Express Co. Inc. 6. Bank of Canton Ltd.

2. Ban Hin Lee Bank Limited* 7. Bank of China

3. Bangkok Bank Limited 8. Bank of East Asia Ltd.
4. Bank Negara Indonesia ~- 9. Bank of India Ltd.

5. Bank of America 10. Bank of Singapore Ltd.ft

* Head office in Penang. + Banks incorporated in Singapore.

92 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

11. Bank of Tokyo Ltd. 21. Kwangtung Provincial Bank

12. Banque de I’Indochine Ltd.

14. Chung Khiaw Bank Ltd.t 23. Mercantile Bank Ltd.

15. Eastern Bank Ltd. 24. National Handelsbank N.V.

16. First National City Bank of 25. Netherlands Trading Society
New York 26. Oversea-Chinese Banking

17. Hongkong & Shanghai Bank- Corporation Ltd.t

ing Corporation

49 2
18. Indian Bank Ltd. 27. Overseas Union Bank Ltd.t

19. Indian Overseas Bank Ltd. 28. Sze Hai Tong Bank Ltd.f

20. Industrial & Commercial Bank 29: United Chinese Bank Ltd.t
Ltd.t 30. United Commercial Bank Ltd.

¢ Banks incorporated in Singapore.
BANK RATES OF EXCHANGE

The Malayan Exchange Banks Association’s best agreed rates on
London and other countries as well as changes and highest and
lowest rates during the year are shown below:

1957 Selling—T.T. Buying—T.T.
London January 2 a 2/4 2/4 1/8
January 4 aah 2/3 7/8 2/4
December 31... 2/3 7/8 2/4
Selling—T.T. Buying—T.T.
Lowest Highest Lowest Highest
Australia ... 2/10 13/16 2/10 15/16 2/11 5/32 2/11 5/16
New Zealand... 2/3 7/8 2/3 31/32 — —
Burma .. S84 3/4 155 1/2 185 3/4 156 1/2
India .. 184 3/4 155 1/2 155 3/4 156 1/2
Ceylon .. 154 1/4 155 155 3/8 156
Pakistan .. 154 3/4 155 1/2 155 7/8 156 5/8
Hongkong ina 53 1/4 53 1/2 52 3/4 53
U.S.A. sate 32 5/16 32 9/16 32 1/2 32 13/16
Canada oe 30 3/8 32 30 11/16 32 3/8

BANK RATES

On ist January, 1957, the Malayan Exchange Banks Associa-
tion’s agreed minimum rates of interest for dollar advances were :

per annum
Advances against Government and/or

Municipal Securities be ae 54 per cent
Clean Advances ... - or 54 per cent
Advances against Commodities ae 54 per cent
Advances against Stocks and Shares ... 6 per cent

Advances against Property ... ioe 64 per cent

Py al
: “ . ~~
ad
e

neg
ct EE SRR MOTE

Top—Ships of all nations use the excellent facilities for docking and handling
cargo of the port of Singapore.

Below—A daily scene at the Singapore Harbour Board wharves.

I) Hi mM)

Tong Photo Servitt

close-up view of one of the many modern buildings in the heart of Singapore’s

SS. SSS
| — SS
| . SSS SSeS See S™.
a -_ —_ > =
~ Ss Ss
Ss

settles. tt a

. —_ ~ ss ~ a ~ — — — ~~ - —_ a ~e . . ~ _ - ~“ c- < = < - - .
-_ . . , 7
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~ “ > “ 2 : ~ -

cate, ltt. neti

mrt ll, -ctln geld. .pt tlle ties

a
ctl tn ote a

tnt in

CURRENCY AND BANKING 93

On 7th February, 1957, Bank Rate in the United Kingdom was
lowered by } per cent to 5 per cent but in view of prevailing
conditions in the Malayan area the Malayan Exchange Banks
Association found it necessary to raise their minimum interest rates
in all categories by 4 per cent on 11th February, 1957.

On 19th September, 1957, the Bank Rate in the United Kingdom
was raised to 7 per cent and following this change the Malayan
Exchange Banks Association raised their minimum interest rates
in all categories by 1 per cent. Since that date and up to the time
of writing, the Association’s agreed minimum rates for advances
have, therefore, been as follows : —

per annum

Advances against Government and/or
Municipal Securities a4 sie 7 per cent
Clean Advances ... Bot Kis 7 per cent
Advances against Commodities sai 7 per cent
Advances against Stocks and Shares... 74 per cent
Advances against Property ... 7 8 per cent

Post Office Savings Bank

The number of depositors in the Singapore Post Office Savings
Bank on 3lst December, 1957, was 178,236 as compared with
166,150 on 31st December, 1956, an increase of 7.2 per cent. During
the year 17,252 new accounts were opened and 5,166 accounts were
closed.

The number of transactions for the year increased by 2.9 per
cent from 334,194 in 1956 to 344,146.

On 31st December, 1957, the total amount standing to the credit
of depositors, inclusive of interest, was $48,958,456 as compared
with $54,972,487 on 3lst December, 1956. The excess of with-
drawals over deposits during the year was $7,226,690. Deposits
totalled $22,975,608 compared with $25,073,457 in 1956. With-
drawals totalled $30,202,298 compared with $29,051,948 in 1956.

Through the Students Saving Scheme, school children deposited
$53,411 during the year.

Members of the Forces continued to take advantage of the
Forces Savings Scheme whereby deductions were made from their
pay and credited to the Savings Bank accounts. In October the
scheme was extended to members of the Royal Malayan Navy.
Members of the Armed Forces deposited during the year $203,909
through the scheme. |

Vi
Trade

OTWITHSTANDING the world recession which began to

appear in the middle of the year and the unsettled conditions
in some neighbouring countries, Singapore’s trade during 1957
maintained a satisfactory level. This was due largely to the in-
creased trade in Straits produce and resulted in a higher total value
of trade, although the level of produce prices was generally lower
than in 1956.

The value of total trade (excluding trade with the Federa-
tion of Malaya) was $6,050.5 millions, which exceeded the
1956 figure of $5,831.1 millions and has been surpassed only
by the 1951 figure of $7,644.9 millions. The total values of imports
and exports which were $3,277.4 millions and $2,773.1 millions
respectively, exceeded the values of 1956 by $179.1 and $40.3
millions respectively.

Imports from the Sterling Area fell by 1.0 per cent to 32.6 per
cent whilst those from other European countries gained from 8.7
to 9.5 per cent. Imports from Asian suppliers generally improved
from 50.9 to 52.5 per cent, owing largely to a greater intake of
products from Indonesia in the latter half of the year, and, to a
lesser extent. to increased supplies from China, Japan, and India.
Imports from the American Account area decreased from 6 to 4.9
per cent. On the export side, the only significant redistribution was
a lower percentage (33.0 against 36.9 per cent in 1956) to Sterling
Area countries and to a corresponding higher percentage, from 24.0
to 27.5 per cent of exports to non-Sterling Area Asian countries.

The adverse visible balance of trade in 1957 amounted to $504
millions compared with one of $366 millions in 1956. As the year
progressed, decreasing opportunities for some re-exports increased
this gap. Invisible earnings from the Colony’s commercial services
were increased. .

The higher incidence of imports for development and expansion
projects in 1956 was maintained. A solution to the widening trade

TRADE 95

gap does not lie in decreasing imports but in seeking wider export
opportunities and in improving further the competitiveness of
Singapore’s valuable entrepét services. This aspect is increasingly
occupying the minds of the principal trading organisations in
Singapore which stress the importance of streamlining trading pro-
cedures and of developing methods and means of promoting new
trade, as a counter to increased efforts by governments and traders
in some of the Colony’s traditional markets to develop direct inter-
national trade links to Singapore’s disadvantage. The continued
buoyancy of Singapore’s trade will depend to a considerable extent
on the speed and efficiency with which these improved techniques
of trade promotion are introduced. Despite the closing of the Suez
Canal, arrivals of goods returned to normal early in the year.

In the Port, the 1956 figure of 10,461,162 net tonnage of ship-
ping worked alongside Singapore Harbour Board wharves was
exceeded by 295,883 tons. The 1956 record total of all cargo
(including fuels) handled by the Board, 5,667,158 tons, decreased
slightly by 80,751 tons.

Prices in most sectors were generally lower compared with the
previous year. The average price of tin in 1957 was $373 per pa
compared with $387 in 1956, the market deteriorating more
cularly in the second half of the year which closed at $357, $25
below the January level. Rubber prices fluctuated moderately and
weakened from 114 cents per Ib. (R.S.S. spot loose) in January to
82.25 cents when the year ended. The greater availability of copra
from Celebes in the second half of 1957 coincided with better world
demand and the price had improved to over $31 per picul by
December. Increasing competition among textile-producing coun-
tries, notably Japan, China and West Germany, and declining
opportunities to supply the Indonesian market, reduced average
prices and, incidentally, the ability of the United Kingdom, India
and the U.S.A. to maintain their level of supplies to this market.

There was only one ordinary meeting of the Trade Advisory
Council in 1957, but the views of Council members were obtained
and decisions made on six occasions by circulation of papers. The
Council was set up in July 1955 to advise the Minister for Com-
merce and Industry on commercial and economic matters including
the recommendation of appropriate legislation. Representatives of
the Chambers of Commerce and associations of manufacturers,
bankers and rubber merchants are included in the Council member-
ship. In addition to its advisory rdle, the Council has become
an important link between the Ministry and the various sectors of
commerce and industry.

96 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

TRADE FAIRS AND EXHIBITIONS

The Japan Machinery Floating Fair, aboard the s.s. Nissho Maru
(8,814 tons), visited Singapore from 12th to 14th February. Later,
from 8th to 21st August, a trade fair sponsored by the Chinese
Manufacturers’ Union of Hong Kong, exhibited a large variety
of products. A locally-organised Trade and Industries Fair was
held from 27th September to 20th October. It was originally in-
tended for the exhibition of locally produced goods only, but a
large range of imported goods was added.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry continued to assist
members of the public with advice on matters of trade and in-
dustry, and with information about importers, exporters, distri-
butors and manufacturers of many commodities. Lists of addresses
were provided to many enquirers interested in making local or
overseas trade connections for the import or the supply of raw
materials, or locally manufactured, semi-manufactured and pro-
cessed goods. The Ministry continued to publish its monthly Trade
Enquiries Bulletin which sets out new import and export regula-
tions and publishes news of commercial and industrial interest.

COMMODITIES __

Singapore’s fortunate geographical position at the focus of South-
East Asia, and its ‘free port’ status endowed by the foresight of
its founder, Sir Stamford Raffles, have formed the bulwark of its
prosperity. With its highly specialised port and transportation ser-
vices, and its facilities for efficient banking, insurance, brokerage
and communications, created by the expert skill, experience and
enterprise of succeeding generations of merchants, Singapore con-
tinued to play a major part in world trade. The challenge set by
neighbouring countries seeking direct trade in their products with
consumer countries, is being increasingly accepted and met by the
development of wider and more diverse trade connections. There
are comparatively few parts of the world with which Singapore
has not commercial relations of one sort or the other; and as an
emporium of goods and as a centre of competitive services, in small
as well as large consignments, according to customers’ requirements,
it maintains its high standard of service to keep pace with regional
developments.

Rubber

With the exception of Japan and China, which entered the local
market strongly together with several smaller consumers, trading

TRADE 97

generally was on a more moderate scale. Prices continued to drop
in the first six months of 1957 with stocks beginning to accumulate
after August. The average f.o.b. price for R.S.S. 1 spot loose in
1957 was 88.56 cents compared with 97.43 cents in 1956. Ceylon’s
decision to free smoked-sheet exports to all destinations, and the
looming trade recession in the U.S.A. weakened prices which only
steadied in November when demand from Russia and China
became stronger. Japan supported the market well. Supplies from
Indonesia were well maintained despite internal difficulties,
although barter rubber for remilling became scarce from June
onwards. Rubber exports from Singapore and Malaya totalled
1,002,176 tons, comparing favourably with the 1956 figure of
983,281 tons. The demand for liquid latex increased: total ship-
ments were 107,331 tons in 1957 compared with 92,182 tons in
1956.

AVERAGE QUARTERLY PRICE OF RUBBER

Ribbed Smoked Sheet
(Straits Cents per pound)

1955 Grade I Grade 3 Crepe Blanket
Ist Quarter... 95.4 92.6 86.8
2nd Quarter... a: 95.3 90.5 83.7
3rd Quarter... es 139.3 128.5 106.0
4th Quarter... fe 125.1 120.7 99.3

1956
Ist Quarter... ae 104.8 102.8 93.1
2nd Quarter... ars 85.7 83.2 75.2
3rd Quarter... hes 94.8 90.5 74.7
4th Quarter... = 103.2 99.1 83.3

1957
Ist Quarter... > ee 92.5 88.1 78.0
2nd Quarter... pag 91.4 89.3 81.9
3rd Quarter... Ue 89.9 88.6 81.3
4th Quarter... = 81.2 76.9 71.0

Progress was made towards the formation of a proposed new
Trade Association to represent the whole of the rubber trade in
Singapore and in the Federation of Malaya. The Singapore Cham-
ber of Commerce Rubber Association decided to put all guaranteed
f.o.b. contracts for International 1 R.S.S. on a settlement basis
in order to encourage sounder trading conditions, and to assist

98

in making market-procedure in Singapore more regular. The new

SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

contract would come into force on Ist January, 1958.

Shipments to the main consuming countries in 1957 were as

follows (1956 figures shown in brackets):

Tons Tons
United Kingdom . 205,627 (232,409)
United States of America ... 147,845 (155,227)
France ne ee 65,351 ( 72,178)
West Germany sta 69,650 ( 81,737)
Japan sat ae 108,471 ( 74,528)
Italy he be 51,063 ( 56,099)
Australia Ae sae 28,342 ( 30,477)
Czechoslovakia sia 15,735 ( 13,200)
Union of South Africa... 24,005 ( 20,824)
U.S.S.R. _ ae 14,982 ( 12,791)
Canada ae ae 31,660 ( 34,624)
China bs re 31,367 ( 8,707)
Argentina se ade 31,543 ( 20,223)
South Korea... aa 6,051 ( 9,033)

Tin

The bulk of the tin-ore smelted at Pulau Brani, an island in
Singapore Harbour, is mined in the Federation of Malaya. The
Straits Trading Company’s second smelter at Butterworth now
treats part of the ore formerly sent to Singapore. In 1957, 20,824
tons of tin slabs worth $133,432,999, were exported from Singapore
representing 29.7 per cent of the value of total Malayan tin ex-
ports.

At the beginning of 1957, the Singapore price of tin ex-works was
$382 per picul. Until June, prices fluctuated within narrow limits
and reached $390.624, the peak for the year, on 26th March.
Thereafter, prices fell to $324.50 on 25th November, a low level
last recorded in February 1954. At the close of the year, the
Singapore price ex-works was $360 per picul, making an average
price for the year of $373.19 per picul.

In March, the International Tin Council raised the price at
which its Buffer Stock Manager must buy tin, from £640 to £730
a ton. The price at which he must sell tin remained at £880 but the
ranges within which he might buy and sell at his discretion were
narrowed to £730-780 and £830-800 respectively. Therefore, the
Singapore market remained above normal parity with London, a
situation assisted by purchases by U.S.A. and Japan. Later, pur-
chases of tin for the Buffer Stock reversed the position, until the

TRADE 99

_ Manager purchased for the stock in Singapore, thus ending specu-
lative buying for sale to the Buffer Stock. By November, there
was increased speculation on the ability of the Buffer Stock to
maintain the price at £730, forward sales of tin being considerably
below that price.

The International Tin Council introduced export control for a
three-month period from 15th December, 1957, and a cut of 284
per cent was imposed on production, the Malayan quota for the
period being 10,125 tons. At the same time, the Buffer Stock
Manager was allowed to sell tin once the price exceeded £780
per ton.

The United States of America remained Singapore’s most import-
ant customer for tin, followed by Japan, Argentina, France, the
United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, Australia and India.

Total tin exports from Singapore in 1957 declined to 20,824
tons worth $133.4 millions compared with 21,330 tons valued at
$138.6 millions in 1956. The United Kingdom heavily increased
its intake from 420 to 925 tons, as did Australia from 200 to 685
tons. India and Canada also took 133 tons and 100 tons respect-
ively. The United States and France reduced their purchases by
866 tons and 926 tons respectively and several European con-
sumers, principally West Germany, Holland, Norway and Italy
reduced orders by several hundred tons each. Argentina entered
the local market to buy 1,786 tons. Japan cut her purchases by
336 tons to 2,939 tons.

EXPORT OF TIN FROM SINGAPORE
(Value in Malayan dollars)

1955 1956 1957
$ $ $

United States 119,496,799 62,854,223 56,945,210
Japan ... 13,610,003 21,427,635 18,761,249
France 13,647,635 14,570,355 8,359,227
Netherlands 9,025,597 8,113,072 5,494,428
Italy... sé 7,487,045 5,534,017 4,765,065
United Kingdom ... 8,465,605 2,704,042 5,519,622
W. Germany 1,968,583 2,685,062 367,792
india ... 1,128,756 1,979,846 2,838,463

Poland 473,137 1,276,596 —
Canada ee 3,178,042 643,115 1,263,741
Other Countries ... 23,711,113 16,869,236 29,118,202
Total 202,192,315 138,657,199 133,432,999

100 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Pineapples

Except for the closure of one cannery for two weeks in January,
due to an accumulation of excess stocks, the three pineapple can-
neries continued to operate steadily throughout the year. Most
canners commenced by giving a 5 per cent rebate on selling prices
which had fallen some 15 per cent since October 1956, but it was
withdrawn when sales improved in July. In April, the export cess
on each case of pineapple was raised from 20 cents to 35 cents.

Of the 37,689 tons of canned pineapple exported from Singapore
and the Federation of Malaya during 1957, 83 per cent went to
the United Kingdom, and 1.7 per cent to Canada while shipments
to West Germany fell to 1.7 per cent. Small scattered shipments to
other Commonwealth countries and to the Middle East accounted
for the remainder.

The Pineapple Industry Ordinance, 1957, was brought into force
late in the year in line with parallel legislation in the Federation
of Malaya. This established the Malayan Pineapple Industry Board
on which sit representatives of the pineapple canners, growers, ex-
porters and can suppliers, and representatives of the States in the
Federation of Malaya in which pineapples are grown, and of the
Governments of Singapore and the Federation of Malaya.

The new Board will take over the advisory functions of. the
Pineapple Joint Industrial Council and manage the Cess Fund.
It is also empowered to regulate the production, grading and
marketing of pineapple, and to conduct research into the cultiva-
tion and processing of pineapples and their by-products. The Board
will register all canners, can suppliers and exporters of canned
pineapple in the two territories. —

Rice

The Government continued to maintain a rice stockpile scheme
to ensure that ample supplies were held to meet any emergency
likely to disrupt the receipt of normal deliveries. Under the scheme,
importers are required to purchase a proportionate quantity of
stockpile rice against their individual imports, thus ensuring that
the stockpile is turned over.

Rice imports from all sources were unrestricted until mid-
October when it was decided, in view of heavy private purchases,
to purchase from Bangkok the balance of Singapore’s Government-
to-Government allocations. A joint official party from the Federa-
tion of Malaya and Singapore visited Bangkok in September for
discussions with the Thailand authorities on this purchase.

JO} JOSIUTIAY ‘jeune fey
uiq pluie [Npqy syouy pue (a1j}U9d) AleyaIo9g JoIYD OY} O} JDISIUIPL JURISISSY ‘IRN ‘GC ‘d ‘W ‘JIN *(3J2]) Ajjsnpuy pue
SOTSUIWOT) TOF JOWsIUTPY “AoYyqeuinyg “Wf “AJ oe Ay, “MOYS [eIN][NSIIse ue ye sonposd [eoO] sUTWTeXO SIOJSIUIJA, JUSWIUISAODH

‘QYudil4) BuUIsnoOYP, pue spue’y] “JUSLUIUADSAOL) [Bd0"]

TRADE 101
During 1957, 2,222 ‘Contracts for the Sale of Rice’ were com-
pleted with local rice importers, as follows:

Local sale contracts ae Le 457
Re-export contracts eu ne 1,765

Selling prices of stockpile rice per long ton during the year were
constant at:

S.W. Rice S.W. Rice Burma Saigon Saigon
10% 15% 15% 10°% 15%
$456 $444 $444 $440 $430

Government owns and maintains four rice godowns with a total
storage capacity of 36,000 tons.
The stockpile is planned to operate without profit or loss.

Other Commodities

The textile trade showed a general decline, more particularly in
re-exports of art-silk piece-goods. Japan, by reason of competitive-
ness, quick delivery, and advanced design and manufacturing
techniques, maintained her position as the principal supplier of all
ranges. United Kingdom suppliers, and also those of India and
U.S.A. lost ground whilst mainland China, West Germany, Hong
Kong and a number of smaller producing continental countries
mcreased their supplies. Of the cotton piece-goods, Japan supplied
75.9 million sq. yards worth $49.6 millions, slightly less than in
1956. India, although her supplies were well behind those of 1956,
was the second largest supplier with 34.3 million sq. yards worth
$15.8 millions. Japan supplied the bulk of art silk piece-goods—
78.0 million sq. yards worth $45.2 millions, nearly $2 millions more
by value than in 1956. United States supplies fell heavily from 13.4
million sq. yards to 7.0 million, worth $11.2 millions. West German
suppliers made small gains.

Textile exports to Indonesia, Singapore’s main re-export market,
showed a small improvement in cotton piece-goods and a reduction
in art silk. Although the total level of exports was restricted com-
pared with a few years ago, for reasons mainly connected with
direct purchases by Indonesia, 27.7 million and 18.6 million sq.
yards of cottons and art silk worth $12.8 and $11.1 millions
respectively, combined to maintain exports to Indonesia at
approximately the level of 1956. Increased re-exports to other
markets assisted considerably in maintaining Singapore’s textile
exports.

102 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Cotton piece-goods Art. Silk piece-goods

mill. sq. yds. mill. $ mill. sq. yds. mill. $
Import 1956 ass 150.7 95.3 96.9 68.7
1957 bes 147.2 94.2 89.6 63.2
Export 1956 ae 64.2 34.0 42.6 25.0
1957 7 63.5 33.6 30.7 20.3

Heavy imports of Indonesian copra from the Celebes area in
the second half of 1957 increased total imports to 142,655 tons,
the highest figure since 1950. India took nearly 54,000 tons from
Singapore, mainly in the first half of the year, after which Japan
entered the market strongly. Copra exports to Japan exceeded
12,000 tons. Exports declined to most European countries except
Belgium and Holland; the latter nearly trebled the amount of
import in 1956 by purchasing 11,700 tons. Supplies to Iraq in-
creased sharply from 900 tons to 2,800 tons.

Overseas demand for copra cake was generally weak until to-
wards the end of the year; and prices weakened before making
a late recovery about October. With greater supplies and lower
prices for copra cake, which adversely affected economic milling,
local production of cake was augmented by an approximately
equal quantity of Indonesian cake. Imports rose from nearly 60,000
tons to 68,000 tons valued at $10.5 millions, and, exports increased
from 2,427 tons to 5,893 tons worth nearly $1.0 million.

The lower level in pepper prices led to a curtailment of Sarawak’s
anticipated pepper output, but later in the year there were in-
creased supplies from South Sumatra. Although prices continued
to fall, the decline in exports of black and white pepper, from
31,500 tons to 25,300 tons, was at a lower rate than the drop in
imports, from 33,300 tons to 22,300 tons, indicating that stocks
had been run down. The demand for other spices was generally
‘weaker.

Although exports of coconut oil to Indian and European markets
declined during the second half of 1957, mainly due to local
difficulties over contract terms, sharply increased purchases of
crude coconut oil by Russia and China, and refined oil by Burma,
helped to maintain the balance. Prices were steady around $41
per picul f.o.b. for most of the second half of the year, but in-
creased sharply in December, as world demand for copra increased.

Singapore, with its installations on islands a few miles off
its shores, is the main distributing centre of petroleum pro-
ducts in South-East Asia. There are facilities for the storage,

TRADE 103

blending and distributing of petroleum products received not only
from refineries in South-East Asia, but also from those as far
afield as Cardon in Venezuela and Geelong in Australia, and crude
oil received from the Middle East intended for the Indonesian
refineries. The quantity of imports and exports of oil handled in
Singapore has risen in ten years from one and a half million tons
in 1947 to over ten million tons in 1957. There are approximately
50 grades of petroleum products stocked in more than a hundred
tanks, and 5 pumping stations and some 50 miles of pipelines are
required for this great flow of oil.

These facilities also form a bunkering depdét or installation for
ocean ships. More than a million tons of fuel oil were delivered
over the wharves during 1957 and a similar quantity was delivered
to ships in Singapore Harbour.

The inland trade of petroleum products on Singapore Island is.
small by comparison, though it has risen from 178,000 tons in
1947 to 511,000 tons in 1957, an increase of 7.8 per cent over the
tonnage for 1956.

One island, Pulau Bukom, is an autonomous community with
a population of 5,000. Employees and their families live on the
island and are provided with a school, shops, a mosque, a church,
an open-air cinema, a hospital and a flourishing community centre.

Singapore is also the base of a large tanker fleet, of over half
a million tons, on which during the year some ten million dollars
were spent in Singapore on repairs, materials, victualling and
wages.

The petroleum industry, therefore, makes a very considerable
contribution to the entrepét trade and economy of Singapore.

The already high volume of trade in coffee in 1956 was easily
exceeded in 1957 when imports rose to over 33,000 tons valued
at $52.6 millions. There was a corresponding rise in exports, to a
total value exceeding $84 millions. However, the irregularity of
the flow from Indonesia created a widely fluctuating market in
the face of recovering world production. Prices became firm later
in the year as the rate of intake tended to diminish.

IMPORT-EXPORT CONTROL

Direct imports of goods from dollar sources into Singapore con-
tinued to be limited to essentials, which could not be obtained
as quickly or as competitively from non-dollar sources. They
totalled $84.70 millions compared with $111.00 millions in 1956
and $78.36 millions in 1955. The main imports were fresh fruits,

104 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

air-conditioning equipment, tin-plate, wheat flour, canned fish,
manila rope, newsprint and tractors, tractor equipment and spare
parts for them.

Imports of goods of dollar origin from Hong Kong which con-
tinued to be licensed freely, decreased to $74.93 millions in value
compared with $84.95 millions in 1956.

Import licensing arrangements for Japan remained unchanged.
Individual licences were only required for certain major items,
while all other items were freely imported under Open General
Licence. Imports from Japan in 1957 totalled $225.4 millions
compared with $209.9 millions in 1956.

Rice from all sources continued to be subject to individual
licensing and to stockpile arrangements as in 1956. Imports of live-
stock continued to be prohibited from certain sources and the
requirement of individual licences for imports of carcass meats, and
hides and skins of oxen, buffaloes, sheep and goats, was continued.
The importation of coin- or disc-operated amusement machines
and spare parts for them also remained prohibited from all sources.

In August 1957, lists of controlled strategic goods to the
Soviet Bloc, China, North Korea, North Vietnam and Tibet were
published for general information. List I showed the goods, other
than ships, which were embargoed to those destinations, and List
II showed those goods which were subject to quantitative restric-
tion. During the year under review 18,658 tons of rubber was
exported to China compared with 2,768 tons rubber and 82 tons
latex in 1956. Coconut oil exports to China also rose to 2,800 tons
compared with 500 tons in 1956; copra exports from nil to 3,736
tons. |

CHANNELS OF TRADE

Singapore’s situation at the economic as well as the geographic
hub of South-East Asia, makes it the natural entrepdét for the pro-
duce and requirements of the region. It conducts a lucrative trade
on its own account, as is evidenced by the bustle of the thriving
city itself, and serves as a port of entry and exit for much of the
Federation of Malaya’s requirements and exportable products. Its
all-important entrepdt trade depends on an ability to contain high
overheads for services rendered in order to remain competitive.
Much of the crude produce of the outer and less developed regions
of Indonesia, particularly Sumatra, South Borneo and more recently
the Celebes, arrives in small coasters for processing, grading, pack-
ing and re-export to world markets. Rubber, copra, spices, forest

TRADE 105

products, coffee, tea, timber and a host of exotic-sounding pro-
ducts are imported for re-marketing throughout the world. Large
quantities of foodstuffs and manufactured consumer goods, machin-
ery and vehicles are re-distributed to the area by Singapore, as
are petroleum products which are stored in bulk and blended
accounting for a huge turnover value every year.

Of particular significance and usefulness to the economy of the
entrepdt area is Singapore’s traditional role as a great emporium.
Goods of every description from the great manufacturing countries
are imported in bulk to go into stock and to be broken down into
large and small parcels for neighbouring customers when required
by them. With its sound currency, Singapore is a vast godown
where credit can be found, if needed, and competitiveness is the
constant watchword. Much of the entrepdt trade is in the hands of
experienced Chinese traders and old established European com-
panies. Textiles, fancy goods, spices and foodstuffs are handled
mostly by the Indian trading community. Into this pattern fit a
host of factory representatives of all lands who transact keen busi-
ness, both with the larger trading houses and with smaller com-
mission and indenting firms, who cover every market requirement.
Four principal Chambers of Commerce, the Singapore, Chinese,
Indian and Malay, play a very active part in promoting the trading
prosperity of the Colony.

TRADE IN PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES
(by volume)

IMPORTS EXPORTS
5955 1956 1957 1955 1956 1957
$42,365 339,273 344,102 Rubber(Tons) _... ..- 526,594 593,600 598,422
— —_ —_ ce (Tons) 33,332 21,330 20,824
102,167 127,909 110,345 gar Coarse and Refined (T ons) 22,235 27,988 17,486
9,560 30,602 33,032 ee Raw (Tons) 9,488 28,466 41,751

149,681 150,683 147,241 cone Piece Goods (1,000 Sq.,

yds.) 68,005 64,202 63,488
120,813 96,878 89,605 Art Silk Piece Goods (I ,0008a.

90,820 85,285 142,655 Copra (Tons) ses cate 41,756 35,460 98,329
633 1,145 1,139 Coconut Oil (Tons) 35,142 33,467 45,128
7,107 5,231 8,071 Fish Dried and Salted (Tons) .. 3,694 6,067 8,423
72,899 82,567 66,646 Bicycles (Nos.) re 17,720 16,512 13,885
1,719,955 1 638, he 1,792,627 Clocks and Watches (Nos.) .... 152,551 122,263 174,223
137 259 835 Cloves (Tons) 56 188 657
1,417,277 1,645,296 1,540,697 Milk Sweetened, “Condensed
(Cases) os 120,009 107,775 108,582
24,866 33,254 22,360 Pepper (Tons) ae a 21,868 31,465 25,350
266,789 299,536 249,112 Rice (Tons) tice $4,738 71,610 115,382
72,235 81,920 70,679 Wheat Flour (T ons) ide 10,300 7,815 6,372
11,771 12,736 12,003 Cigarettes (1,000 1b.) ee 4,312 4,697 5,496
13 17 16 Canned Pineapgles tron s) ... 25,898 28,333 34,818
426 88 $2 Palm Oil(Tons) ... ... 27,153 28,996 22,074
92,103 103,831 89,439 Sewing Machines (Nos.) ier 28,833 40,210 41,993
252,038 247,035 283,361 Cements(Tons) ... 9,969 12,074 36,066
13,316 19,825 23,744 Galvanised Iron Sheets (T: ons). 3,703 9,662 18,926
1,167 1,446 1,388 Motor buses, Trucks new ales ) 212 244 387

9,205 9,991 8,819 Motorcars (Nos. ) 802 1,001 1,097

106

SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

FOREIGN TRADE OF SINGAPORE BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES
(EXCL. TRADE WITH FEDERATION OF MALAYA)
(Gross value in millions of Malayan Dollars)

1987 IMPORTS COMMODITIES 1957 EXPORTS
Pereentage Value in Value in Fercroae
of Total $ Million $ Million of Total
3.0 96.9 Rice ... 46.3 1.7
1.7 $4.3 Coffee 85.4 3.1
1.5 50.5 Spices 2 62.7 2.3
12.2 398.3 Other Foodstuffs 120.2 4.3
1.9 62.1 Tobacco Manufactures 31.2 1.1
16.7 547.7 Rubber 1,145.9 41.3
4.2 136.1 Other Crude Materials 124.6 4.5
21.7 710.8 Petroleum Products 381.1 13.7
2.0 66.8 Petroleum Crude 61.2 2.2
| 4.5 Vegetable Oils 56.1 2.0
— pone Tin... is 133.5 4.8
6.5 210.9 Textile Manufactures 74.7 2.7
2.8 92.3 Iron and Steel __... 20.9 8
1.8 60.1 {ndustrial Machinery 13.2 5
1.9 63.7 Electrical Equipment 15.4 6
2.2 73.7 Road Motor Vehicles 21.9 8
2.1 71.6 oN Paschiny. and Transport Equip- oe .
1.1 35.6 Stores "Ships Aircraft 189.8 6.8
5.8 188.7 ther eous manufactured articles

pee elsewhere specifies a 44.3 1.6
10.8 352.8 Others ies 121.7 4.4
100.0 3,277.4 Total, 1957 on yee 2,773.1 100.0

Total Imports 1956 $3,098.3 million.
Total Imports 1955 $2,865.4 million.

Total Exports 1956 $2,732.8 million.
Total Exports 1955 $2,781.8 million.

FOREIGN TRADE OF SINGAPORE BY PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES, 1957
(EXCL. TRADE WITH THE FEDERATION OF MALAYA)
(Gross value in millions of Malayan Dollars)

1957 IMPORTS

Pereentaxe Value itn

of Total 3 Million
13.7 447.6
8 24.4
2.4 76.0
5 16.4
1.6 53.3
4 13.3
4.2 139.1
3.7 120.0
5 17.2
6 20.2
2.7 87.9
5.7 187.2
1.9 63.8
1.3 39.8
3.8 123.7
33.5 1099.5
6.9 225.4
3.6 127.0
12.2 395.6
100.0 3,277.4

Total Imports 1956 $3,098.3 million.
Total Imports 1955 $2,865.4 million.

COUNTRIES

United Kingdom
France es
W. Germany

United States of America

Australia

Br.Col.Territories in Africa ..

North Borneo

Hong Kong

Sarawak bs a

Republic of India.

Other Commonwealth and Br. Col. Terri-
sous in Asia ...

Chin

Republi ic of Indonesia
Japan

Thailand

Others

Total, 1957

1957 EXPORTS
Value in Percentage

3 Million of Total
307.0 11.1
102.8 3.7

64.3 2.3
91.2 3.3
70.3 2.5
46.3 1.7
274.7 10.0
121.5 4.4
63.7 2.3
68.4 2.5
53.8 1.9
78.3 2.8
78.2 2.8
62.2 2.2
45.7 1.6
250.3 9.0
243.4 8.8
69.8 2.5
681.2 24.6
2,773.1 100.0

Total Exports 1956 $2,732.8 million,
Total Exports 1955 $2,781.8 million.

TRADE 107

TRADE OF SINGAPORE WITH FEDERATION OF MALAYA BY PRINCIPAL
COMMODITIEs 1957

(Gross value in millions of Malayan Dollars)

1987 IMPORTS COMMODITIES 1987 EXPORTS

| Percentage Value in Valuein Percentage
of Total $3 Million $Million of Tota
— 3 Milk Condensed, dried She 18.1 2.6
1.6 12.2 Fish, fresh ied tee on 8.6 1.2
3 2.3 Rice We oes ve 32.9 4.7
1.7 13.0 Fruits and nuts, fresh ee sas 14.0 2.0
2.2 17.6 Fruits, preserved ees nek 1.0 1
4 2.8 Vegetables, fresh dry aes Ss 14.5 2.1
| 5 Sugar tia cus “ok 23.3 3.2
— 2 Alcoholic Beverages Pre or 23.0 3.3

—_ sa Tobacco manufactures ae “i 8.5 12
4 3.0 Oil Seeds, nuts, kernels sins eae 5.8 8
63.5 497.8 Crude Rubber _... san see 30.8 4.4

15.4 120.9 Non-ferrous ores pes a 6 —

_ 3 Petroleum Products oe ae 63.9 9.0
3.2 24.9 Vegetable Oils... us ees 2.2 3
—_— 3 Cotton fabric woven aa ve 36.1 5.1
_ 2 Textile fabric n.e.s. a9 ani 18.4 2.6
“ 2 Iron and Steel _... ae “ce 12.0 1.7
1 9 Metal Manufactures n.e.s. ... see 19.6 2.8
| 1,7 Industrial Machinery ei eae 20.5 2.9
ol 9 Electrical Equipment Suh Sa 13.6 1.9
8 6.0 Road Motor Vehicles iad oe 42.7 6.1
el 9 Manufactures n.e.s. daz dug 12.5 1.8
1.1 8.2 Postal Packages ... dane eae 29.7 4.2
8.8 69.3 Others ss re ee 252.7 36.0

100.0 784.6 Total, 1957... Steet 705.0 100.0

REGISTRATION OF COMPANIES AND
TRADE MARKS

The commercial law of Singapore is based largely on that of the
United Kingdom with certain reservations and alterations to suit
the special type of business carried on in the Colony.

The Companies Ordinance is based upon the United Kingdom
Companies Act of 1929. The Ordinance provides for the registra-
tion of ordinary companies, banks, insurance companies and
foreign companies with limited liability. Certain types of insur-
ance companies are required to lodge a bond with the Government
as a Safeguard against inability to pay certain kinds of claim. All
limited liability companies are required to deposit in the office of
the Registrar their annual statement of accounts, a list of share-
holders and a statement of directors and particulars of any changes.

108 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

At the end of 1957, there were 1,696 companies registered in the
Registry of Companies, Trade Marks and Patents, a nett increase
of 157 over the previous year. Among them there were 31 banks
and 143 msurance companies.

Businesses other than those with limited liability were required
to register under the provisions of the Business Names Ordinance.
If a partnership or a sole proprietor carries on business in a name
other than their or his own the true names of all concerned must
be supplied. These records are open to inspection by the general
public. At the end of 1957, there were 25,119 firms or businesses
registered under this Ordinance, an increase of 1,427 since 1956.

Trade marks and patents are protected as in the United King-
dom. Arrangements exist between the Colony and the adjacent
territories of the Federation of Malaya and North Borneo which
give any importer or local trader maximum protection in trading
over the whole of the area. The Ordinances in these territories are
almost identical. At present there are about 16,658 trade marks
from all parts of the world on the register, and protection is given
to nearly 530 patents.

TOURISM

During 1957 the responsibility for the development of tourism
as an industry was transferred to the Ministry of Commerce and
Industry from the Department of Information Services which had
developed the work for 6 years and established its international
contacts, by membership of the I.U.0.T.O. and P.A.T.A. and by
distribution of material overseas. A Tourist Advisory Committee
was set up which throughout the year conducted an active and
intensive research into methods of improving the Colony’s tourist
trade. It advised on, and assisted the preparations for, the setting
up of a Tourist Department in the Ministry of Commerce and
Industry under the leadership of an experienced Director of
Tourism to be recruited from overseas. $300,000 was voted for
expenditure in 1958.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

Singapore representatives took part in several international trade
and economic conferences during 1957. They attended the 9th
Session of the Committee on Industry and Trade and the 13th
Plenary Session of E.C.A.F.E. in Bangkok in March. Later, the
Government provided a leader and observer for the London Rub-
ber Conference between Singapore packers and shippers and

TRADE 109

representatives of the London rubber market. In August, a repre-
sentative attended the International Union of Official Travel
Organisations (Pacific Region) and Pacific Area Travel Associa-
tion joint conferences in Tokyo, and in June Government and
trade representatives attended the 13th International Rubber Study
Group meeting at Djokjakarta. In October, the Minister for Com-
merce and Industry and one official attended the VIII Colombo
Plan Consultative Committee meeting in Saigon.

TRADE REPRESENTATION

Shortly after the Federation of Malaya achieved independence in
August 1957, the former Trade Commissioner for Singapore and
the Federation of Malaya in the United Kingdom, became Singa-
pore’s Trade Commissioner in the U.K. and opened a new
Singapore Trade Commission Office at 16 Northumberland Avenue,
London, W.C.2.

Vil

Production

AGRICULTURE

HERE ARE about 15,000 farmers in Singapore, almost all of

whom are Chinese small-holders, growing market garden crops
with the help of most of their families. The type of cultivation
is very intensive, with high production per unit area; the average
size of farm of these market gardeners is one acre. The Agricultural
Department of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry advises
them on all aspects of agriculture, although most requests for
advice are on the use of fertilisers and the choice of insecticides.
There are frequently, however, requests for help in matters not
normally considered agricultural problems, such as recovering bad
debts and other social difficulties.

The table below shows that the largest acreage devoted to any
one crop is that under rubber, followed by that of coconuts and
fruit trees, but in fact the most important crops to the farmers of
Singapore are vegetables.

1957—TABLE OF ACREAGES AND PRODUCTION
Acreage Production

Rubber ea a4 15,700 1,610 tons
Coconuts bale “ae 7,630 14 million nuts
Mixed vegetables ate 3,830 15,300 tons
Root crops... at 2,340 9,350 tons
Fruit trees oa “an 4,820 1.360 tons
Tobacco bit oe 660 310 tons
Derris sak son 20 3 tons
Pepper a : 25 10 tons

Total agricultural acreage 35,025.
Vegetables

Singapore is self-supporting in the green leafy vegetables, which
are much in demand among the Chinese population. The importa-
tion of these types of vegetables from abroad would, in any case,

PRODUCTION 111

be impossible since they cannot be stored for any length of time,
even under refrigeration, and it is normal for them to be eaten
within 24 hours of harvesting. These green vegetables are all grown
in the relatively fertile valley bottoms where plenty of water is
available, since in dry weather the beds must be watered three
times daily. The farmers construct ponds in which to store water,
and in which they grow water hyacinth (Eichornia carassipes) as
pig fodder.

The other types of vegetables, such as beans, cucumbers, and
roots are grown on higher ground, all over the island, especially
in the West. These upland farmers are completely dependent on
pig manure to maintain the humus content of the soil, which is
rapidly consumed in the high temperatures throughout the year.

The year on the whole was a good one for vegetables, being
very much drier than usual, although some areas were troubled by
droughts. The farmers who last year were persuaded to try the
use of a balanced chemical fertiliser to replace part of their tradi-
tional organic manure, became during 1957 more enthusiastic in the
adoption of this new fertilising technique, buying more than double
the quantity of chemical fertiliser than they had used in 1956.

Rubber, Coconuts and Tobacco

The yield of rubber in Singapore is much below the average for
the Island, except on a few estates which are well maintained. For
the first time for a number of years a considerable acreage of old
worn-out rubber was grubbed and replanted with modern high-
yielding clones. Whether or not this is a trend or an isolated event,
is not yet apparent. The 15,700 acres include the estimated area of
some very small holdings.

Coconut palms are to be found all over the Island, but the main
production comes from the sandy eastern half, together with the
coastal and estuarine land all round the island. There are no true
coconut estates producing copra for export. The average yield is
rather low, and in fact all the production (except for undersized
nuts) is sold in the local markets for human consumption.

There was rather less tobacco harvested in 1957 than in 1956,
which was a record year for the crop. The reason appeared to be
that lower prices were paid by the cigarette and cigar factories
due to a decreased demand for their products. The acreage shown
in the foregoing table includes a large quantity of young plants for
harvest next year. The quality of tobacco produced is poor, owing

112 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

to heavy nitrogenous manuring, but the factories themselves are
not interested in quality, and it is therefore unprofitable to curtail
the nitrogen applied, which would reduce the quantity of the crop.

Fruit

The climatic conditions in Singapore are such that it is unprofit-
able to grow other than local native fruits for the market. The most
popularly grown native fruits are rambutan and pulasan (Nephe-
lium lappaceum and mutabile), the durian (Durio zibethinus), the
mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), the carambola (Averrhoa
carambola), the jack fruit (Artocarpus integrifolia), and bananas.
Introduced fruits grown on a small-holders scale are pineapples,
papayas (paw-paw) and limes. It is also possible to grow a variety
of other species, such as mangoes, guavas, avocadoes, a number of
custard-apples, and most species of citrus. However, the yield from
these is small and uncertain, and they are only grown for home
consumption.

Marketing

The usual system of vegetable marketing is through middleman-
collectors, who sometimes act as wholesalers and sometimes sell to
wholesalers on commission. As agricultural co-operative societies
are formed, these societies should be able to sell by retail their
members’ produce, thus saving a greater proportion of the con-
sumers’ price for the grower. The great independence of mind of the
Chinese farmer, however, does not make this an easy task.

Research

The results of research work in the Federation of Malaya are
readily available to field officers in Singapore. In the identification
of unfamiliar pests and diseases, help is given by the botanists of
the Botanic Gardens and the University of Malaya. The Depart-
ment of Chemistry is available for help in the analysis of soils
and fertilisers.

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
Introduction

Veterinary services in Singapore are divided between the Govern-
ment Veterinary Department of the Ministry of Commerce and In-
dustry, and the City Council Veterinary Department. The Govern-
ment is concerned with all aspects of disease control, animal

PRODUCTION 113

husbandry and developments of food production, while the City
Council’s duties include meat inspection, licensing and clinical
work.

Pigs, poultry and fish supply the animal protein for the diet of
the predominantly Chinese population, beef and mutton account-
ing for a very small proportion of the total meat demand.

The remarkable rate of increase in home production of pork,
poultry and eggs in recent years has increased still higher, and
their production, formerly a small subsidiary occupation, has now
become a major rural industry. Some 24 million poultry and over
600,000 pigs were produced during 1957.

This increase was due partly to the ready absorption of labour
on the land which has a traditional appeal to the Chinese, and
partly to a ready market for meat and eggs with the rising standards
of living. The rearing of livestock can only be carried on profitably
if the risk of losses from epidemic diseases is minimised. The
Veterinary Department, therefore, increased its preventive inocula-
tions (which are carried out free of charge) from 4 million in 1955
to about 64 million in 1957 for all types of livestock, or over
20,000 each full working day. These figures illustrate the success
of a small department when it has the co-operation of part-time
farmers in spite of difficult field conditions.

Development Programme

The rapid increase in production by peasant farmers resulted in
a steady drop in retail prices during 1957, and, as a consequence,
more scientific methods of production are required to reduce pro-
duction costs and give farmers a reasonable income. Researches
into animal breeding and nutrition problems were for this reason
intensified at the Lim Chu Kang field station under the direction
of Dr. R. B. Kelley, 0.B.£., recently of the Australian Government
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Early results indicate that an average increase in egg production
by nearly 100 per cent per bird of local origin is possible, and
that production costs for both meat and eggs can be reduced sub-
stantially. At the end of the year work started on a $1 million
Research Station at Sembawang where researches can be put into
practice by producing improved breeds of livestock capable of
higher and more economical output.

Self-Help Project
To reduce the cost of bulk purchases of feeding stuffs and of

compounding them into scientifically balanced rations, the Austra-
lian Government was approached under the Colombo Plan for a gift

114 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

of a Feed-Mix plant. This has been approved in principle for 1958.
An interest-free loan to farmers’ co-operatives to obtain bulk sup-
plies of feeding stuff was also approved by Government at the end
of 1957.

Stud Services

Sales of breeding-stock to farmers were most successful. The out-
standing waiting-list will take two years to complete. Free boar-
stud services were made available during the year and were
extended into farming areas partly through Co-operative Farmers’

groups.
Disease Control

As the result of preventive vaccination and very strict quarantine
measures, there was no case of diseases which are normally found
in tropical conditions such as anthrax, foot and mouth disease,
rinderpest, rabies, serious tick-borne diseases and contagious
pleuro-pneumonia. Diseases such as ranikhet in poultry, swine fever
and those due to the pasteurella group, which previously were wide-
spread, were contained in isolated outbreaks. Other diseases due to
the salmonella group and unidentified viruses still occur and close
attention is being paid to them in conjunction with the Veterinary |
Research Laboratory at Ipoh. The task of disease-control in a
small island with a very large livestock population requires constant
vigilance and prompt action; but relationships with the farmers
are close and responsive, and restrictive police measures, normally
a disagreeable feature in many countries, present no great problem.
The value of the practice of establishing full working partnership
with individual farmers as a result of decentralising activities
through field officers living in rural areas is clearly demonstrated.

Exports

Locally produced eggs and poultry with a value of $10,000,000
were sold to the Federation of Malaya, to Borneo and to Hong
Kong. The export of Singapore-bred pigs increased from 560 in
1956 to 13,663 in 1957 with a steady increase each month.

Whether further exports are possible will depend upon whether
labour is attracted to other occupations and whether production
costs are reduced as a result of the adoption of technological
improvements by the farmers themselves.

PRODUCTION 115

TOTAL NUMBER OF ANIMALS SLAUGHTERED AT CITY ABATTOIRS 1957

Country of Origin Oxen Hele Sheep Goats Swine Total
Singapore __... a 890 69 — 3,177 401,944 406,080
Australia sad oe 993 — 69,073 459 — 70,525
Federation of Malaya ... — — — —_ 11.625 11,625
Indonesia sabe ... 2,104 637 _— — 7,295 10,036
Thailand sae oo 17 ~=1,810 — — — 1,827

Total ... 4,004 2,516 69,073 3,636 420,864 500,093

ANNUAL AVERAGE RETAIL MARKET PRICES OF MEAT, POULTRY AND EGGS 1950-57
Article Unie 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957
$c $e $e Fe $e $e $e $e.

Meat
Beef Steak ee .. Kati 161 216 226 208 208 193 216 2 20
Fillet Steak es 183 234 250 231 — 235 235 240
Mutton (Local Goat) we Ab; 289 310 287 281 216 215 213 215
Mutton (Australian Sheep) ...__,, — — 140 145 145 135 135 1 50
Pork Lean ne .. Kati 217 288 297 297 300 285 254 280
Pork Lean and fat (Ist quality) __,, 179 243 238 237 224 222 206 2 30
Poultry
Fowl (Cockerel) ... a ae 162 214 218 201 181 180 1 54 1 50
Hen (Pullets) or ae 208 264 278 275 — 202 210 200
Eggs
Duck, fresh wa .. per lu £29 152 154 151 £37 113 114 110
Fowl, fresh i wae. oe 130 157 163 165 140 122 130 I! 20
FORESTRY

Although there are no productive forests on the island, Singapore
is a major centre for the production of sawn timber and plywood,
both of which are exported in considerable quantities. There are
eighteen major sawmills, one large plywood factory and several
small sawmills and woodworking plants; the mills are all owned
by Chinese and are operated exclusively by Chinese labour. The
output of the mills varies from about 60 tons of sawn timber per
day to less than 5 tons.

All logs are imported. The main source of supply is the Fede-
ration of Malaya. The rest are brought by sailing tongkang from
East Sumatra, while some are imported from Borneo. Log supplies
were again insufficient to keep all the mills working full time, and,
for this reason, the re-export of logs continued to be prohibited.

Both graded and ungraded timber is exported from Singapore.
When graded timber is specified by buyers, it is graded under the

116 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Malayan Grading Rules for Sawn Hardwood Timber, either by
Timber Inspectors of the Forest Division of the Ministry of Com-
merce and Industry or by privately-employed graders whose work
is then check-graded by Timber Inspectors.

Overseas demand for sawn timber was brisk throughout 1957,
particularly for graded timber. The principal timbers exported were
Keruing (Dipterocarous spp.), Kapur (Dryobalanops spp.), Meranti
(light weight Shorea spp.), Nyatoh (Sapotacee spp.), Kempas
(Koompassia malaccensis), and Geronggang (Cratoxylon arbores-
cens).

The principal markets, and the quantities exported in 1956 and
1957 are given in the table below:

EXPORTS OF GRADED AND UNGRADED TIMBER
SAWN IN SINGAPORE 1956 AND 1957

(In tons of 50 cubic feet)

1956 1957

Destination Graded Ungraded Total Graded Ungraded Total
United Kingdom ... 12,340 — 12,340 13,050 — 13,050
Australia .. 8,295 2,208 10,503 8,627 603 9,230
Mauritius ss 462 7,487 7,949 241 6,884 7,125
Aden __... ua 7 8,063 8,070 — 6.953 6,953
New Zealand .. 5,331 — 5,331 6,060 — 6,060
Indonesia he 185 9,776 9,961 576 4,154 4,730
Iraq... a — 3,337 3,337 43 3,892 3,935
Bahrein ve 60 1,737 1,797 51 2,699 2,750
22 other countries... 7,929 6,628 14,557 8,568 3,811 12,379

Total ... 34,609 39,236 73,845 37,216 28,996 66,212

The total f.o.b. value of the above exports was approximately $11,240,414 compared
with $13,681,236 in 1956.

FISHERIES

The fishing grounds exploited by local fishermen extend from
the inshore areas around Singapore to the offshore areas in the
South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. The main inshore fishing
methods are kelongs and other fixed traps, various types of lines,
beach seines, push nets and drift nets. In the offshore areas, pair
trawls, long lines, troll lines and drift nets are used. In addition,
many fishermen are engaged in the trapping of prawns and estuarine
fish from swamps which have been converted into brackish water
ponds. Others are engaged in the culture of carp and other fish in
fresh water ponds.

PRODUCTION 117

The number of fishermen operating under licences in 1957 was
5,443 of whom about 70 per cent were Chinese and 30 per cent
Malays and others. The number of licensed fishermen in 1956 was
5,508. 1,924 gears and 2,765 boats were licensed in 1957. Of the
latter 24 per cent were powered vessels representing an aggregate
of 2,362 tons. Mechanisation progressed and many old vessels were
replaced by new ones.

Capital is provided by the producer himself, or through whole-
sale agents and dealers. A few large companies were formed to
undertake offshore fishery projects. Among the small fishermen,
there is a growing consciousness of the need to lower the cost of
production by co-operative purchase of fishery requirements and
by sale of their catches on a co-operative basis.

Fresh fish 1s landed at various points on the island and auctioned
at two City Council markets and three private wholesale markets.
Auctions are conducted by wholesale agents who receive a com-
mission from the fishermen and pay a fee to the market owner.

AMOUNT OF FISH HANDLED BY AUCTION MARKETS

(tons) ;

1955 1956 1957

Local Production ... wake 4,358.5 4,490.5 5,188.6

Imports from Indonesia wae 1,603.2 1,728.2 1,744.2
Imports from Burma, Borneo,

Thailand, Hong Kong and India 33.3 47.1 30.0
Imports from _ Federation of

Malaya se i 3,653.5 3,348.9 3,269.0

9,648.5 9,614.7 10,231.8

There are about 50 retail outlets in the City area and about
25 in the rural area. In all there are over 1,000 fish retailers dis-
tributed roughly as follows:

(i) Market retailers si ate 50 per cent.
(ii) Hawkers or ate 40 per cent.
(iii) Shop retailers m. — 10 per cent.

It is estimated that about 85 per cent of the fish is retailed in the
City area and the remainder in the rural area. Locally-caught fish is
sold fresh, and little use is made of cold storagé facilities. Small
amounts of certain types such as bilis, tamban and selar are sold
as boiled fish during seasons of glut. Commercial cold storage
facilities have been expanded to cope with increased imports of
fish.

118 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

AVERAGE PRICES OF FRESH FISH

(per kati)
1956 1957
Wholesale Retail Wholesale’ Retail
$ c. $c. $ c. $ c.

Bawal Puteh eek 2 15 2 61 2 31 2 62
Bawal Hitam 1 36 1 51 1 44 1 58
Kurau 1 81 2 71 1 84 2 76
Senangin 1 57 1 69 1 59 1 74
Tenggiri 1 38 1 54 1 37 1 51
Belanak 1 15 1 30 1 20 1 34
Merah 0 42 0 60 0 45 0 58
Chencharu 0 62 0 76 0 67 - 0 80
Talang 0 39 0 52 0 46 0 58
Parang Parang 1 24 1 40 1 22 1 35
Terubok 0 53 0 67 0 79 0 91
Yu 0 34 0 47 0 35 0 47
Pari 0 29 0 42 0 31 0 42
Prawns (large) 2 37 2 76 2 51 2 80
Gelama 0 33 0 46 0 31 0 42
Bilis 0 43 0 58 0 45 0 58
Kembong ... 0 60 0 75 0 67 0 78
Selar 1 03 1 18 1 14 1 27
Tamban 0 29 0 41 0 30 0 41
Ikan Buat Baja 0 13 0 18 0 15 0 20

(One kati equals 1} imperial pounds)

Singapore serves as the entrepdt for salt fish as well as other
marine produce. Imports of salt fish come mainly from the Feder-
ation of Malaya, Thailand, Cambodia and Riouw. The dried fish
are sorted, re-dried and then re-packed in Singapore for export.
The large entrepdt trade in salt fish has declined considerably dur-
ing the last few years because of restrictive measures imposed by
certain importing countries.

IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF DRIED SALT FISH

1955 1956 1957
Tons Value Tons Value Tons Value
$ $ $
Imports ... 9,981 7,412,828 10,480 8,161,572 12,944 9,692,361
Exports ... 6,882 7,625,145 8,779 8,285,656 11,637 13,143,377

In 1957, imports of other marine products such as béche-de-mer,
blachan, seaweed, fish maws, sharks’ fins, green snail and trochus
shell and canned fish, including canned salmon and canned sardine,

PRODUCTION 119

amounted to 9,274 tons valued at $11,383,616 and exports to 5,208
tons valued at $7,696,929.

Local production was actively encouraged by the introduction of
improved techniques and new methods and materials. Government
was also actively engaged in raising the standard of living of the
local fishermen and improving their efficiency to meet the changing
conditions.

The utilisation of swamps for the production of fish and prawn
is encouraged. Two experimental ponds were constructed at a cost
of $12,840.63 towards the end of 1954 and during 1957 these ponds
yielded 8,096 katties of fish, prawns and crabs which were sold by
auction for $9,283.44. The results were encouraging and experi-

ments continued.

The experiment of rearing pigs in conjunction with prawn cultiv-
ation was extremely successful, rousing considerable interest among
existing prawn-pond operators, and creating a strong demand by
the people living in the vicinity of the departmental prawn ponds
for the excision of swamp land within the Ulu Pandan Nature
Reserve for their use in food production. A resolution to achieve
this was therefore introduced in the Legislative Assembly.

The Fishing Materials Purchase Account assisted fishermen in
the purchase of fishing gears. The Fisheries Mobile Unit continued
to instruct fishermen on the maintenance and repair of their boat
engines. Many fishermen were, as a result, able to maintain their
engines in good condition, thus increasing their fishing time at sea.

The Joint Advisory Council for Apprenticeship Training formu-
lated a training scheme for trawl fishermen under which apprentices
will receive practical training at sea in commercial trawlers and
also a certain amount of theoretical training on shore from officers
of the Fisheries Department. It is hoped that in the course of time
a sufficient number of competent local fishermen will be trained to
replace the Japanese experts.

The Regional Marine Fisheries Research Station at Changi
closed down at the end of March 1957, and the first steps were taken
to wind up the Regional Marine Research Scheme under which the
Station operated. It was agreed that two scientific officers of the
Station should be given a period of eighteen months with effect
from August 1957, to conclude the writing up of the scientific work
in hand at the Marine Biological Association, Plymouth. The
papers so produced would represent the main fruits of the consider-
able investment of local and Colonial Development and Welfare
funds in the Scheme.

120 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION

Secondary industries are becoming increasingly important in the
economic life of Singapore. Many of them have been established
since 1945. They range from heavy engineering, ship-building and
repairing, rubber-milling, large scale brewing and aerated-water
bottling and cotton-spinning to small units of skilled handicrafts.
Factories established in recent years include biscuit-making, glass-
and bottle-making, cotton-spinning, dry batteries and the local
manufacture of tin cans for the canning of fruit, mainly pineapples.

The manufacture of paper products is another flourishing young
industry and one of the first in South-East Asia to introduce
modern techniques with a daily output of more than 250,000 paper
bags, 200,000 drinking straws, 10,000 reels of toilet tissue papers
and 20,000 paper drinking cups. These are exported to Indonesia,
Burma, Sarawak and Hong Kong.

The most modern baking plant in the Far East has been installed
which is capable of turning out 1,800 pounds of bread per hour.

Production of rubber footwear fell to about 3,416,000 pairs in
1957, a decrease of approximately 15 per cent compared with
1956.

The consumption of locally manufactured beer continued to in-
crease. The two breweries have a capacity of approximately 10
million gallons per year. The soft drink industry, which includes
factories using modern automatic machinery produced 1,122 million
ounces, including 62 million ounces of soda water.

Several million tins of locally-made boot polish are produced for
internal and external markets. Cinema carbons and ropes are now
manufactured locally. Factories for the manufacture of pencils,
paint, perfumes, cosmetics and local brands of cigarettes also pro-
duce for the local markets.

Aluminium Goods

Aluminium household utensils and rubber estate equipment are
produced locally, either on a fairly large scale in established fac-
tories or on a small-scale in converted shop-houses.

Beverages

Two breweries produce both English and lager type of beer and
stout more than sufficient for the local demand. Production is about
5 million gallons a year. Some is consumed locally and the
remainder exported to the Federation of Malaya, India, Ceylon,
Japan, East Africa and the countries of South-East Asia. About 700
persons altogether were employed in the two breweries in 1957.

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PRODUCTION 121

Mineral waters and cordials are produced by 15 factories
employing about 1,260 persons. Total output of sweetened soft
drinks, including non-carbonated fruit beverages, amounted to
1,060.8 million ounces. The output of soda water was 61.6 million
ounces.

Building Materials
Output of bricks continued to be maintained at a high level.
Production by 16 brickworks employing about 990 persons during
- 1957 amounted to 65 million bricks compared with 61 million in
1956. Granite is also quarried in Singapore and on the islet of
Pulau Ubin. There were 13 quarries in operation producing
approximately 570,778 cubic yards. The quarries gave employment
to about 1,000 persons during the year.

Confectionery

283,200 cwt. of biscuits were produced in 1955, 258,500 cwt. in
1956 and 184,300 cwt. in 1957.

The six factories in production employed 694 persons.

Distilleries
Samsu continued to be produced, mainly for local consumption,
by two distilleries.

Electric Batteries
One factory produces electric batteries.

Leather Shoes

There is one factory for the production of leather shoes on a
large scale, but most are produced by numerous Chinese shops
employing from 10 to 15 persons in the typical set-up.

Metal Boxes

The bulk of the tin cans produced by the Metal Box Company
are used locally, especially by the pineapple industry. Some. flat
cans are exported.

Edible Oil and Soap
The total output of coconut oil from nine oil mills amounted to
48,701 tons. Production figures for 1955 and 1956 are given below

for comparison.
Coconut Oil (1,000 tons)

1955... es 33.7
1956... at 39.7
1957 aes ee 48.7

| The making of steel—Straits Times.

122 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

The following table shows the production of soap for the last
three years. Seventeen soap factories were in operation during the
year.

Soap (1,000 cwt.)

1955... sia 254.3
1956... 3 253.1
1957... ee 255.0

_ 304 people were employed by the oil mills and about 330 persons
by the soap factories.

Paints
The production of locally manufactured paints and distempers
continued to increase to satisfy rising local and overseas demand.

Pineapples

647,700 cases of pineapples weighing 14,280 tons were canned in
Singapore, the total Malayan production being 1,567,600 cases. The
three canneries operating in Singapore thus increased their output
by 6.5 per cent over the previous year. They purchased 23,647 tons
of small growers fruit of which 2.9 per cent was grown in Singapore,
4.5 per cent in the Riouw islands and 92.5 per cent in the Feder-
ation of Malaya, and used 18,378 tons of fruit from their own
plantations in the Federation of Malaya.

Rubber Manufactures

Production figures of rubber footwear from 1955 to 1957 were

as follows:
Rubber Footwear (1,000 pairs)

1955 ssc Soe 3747.6
1956... oe 4023.9
1957... ss 3416.4

RUBBER MILLING

The rubber milling industry was again affected by the uncertain
supply of raw materials. There are 13 remilling factories in Singa-
pore with some 700 mangles, but only 10 of the factories were
working during 1957. The output of remilled rubber amounted to
67,795 tons compared with 70,160 tons in 1956.

Sawmilling

Output of sawn timber for 1957 totalled 154,300 tons of 50 cubic
feet, compared with 158,900 tons in 1956. Twenty-one sawmills
employing 1,500 persons were in operation during the year.

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PRODUCTION 123

Sago Flour and Pearl

Output of sago flour and pearl was 17,942 tons in 1957, compared
with 25,175 tons in 1956. Eight factories employing 375 persons
were in operation.

Spun Yarn

Singapore’s first yarn-spinning mill began operation in 1953 at
the Princess Elizabeth Industrial Estate at Bukit Timah. All the
spun yarn produced by this mill was exported.

Rattan

The many varieties and grades of rattans are processed by wash-
ing, bleaching and grading. As each consuming country wants its
own particular type of rattan, grading has, from many years’
experience of market requirements, developed into a highly skilled
process. In addition to exporting the processed rattan, an important
cottage-type industry in the making of furniture, basket and many
other articles for local consumption has developed.

QUARRYING AND BRICKMAKING

In Singapore which does not possess valuable mineral deposits
the only basic material that is worked is granite: There were 13
quarries in operation which produced 570,778 cubic yards of
granite representing a slight increase over 1956 production figures.

Brick and tile making is a well established industry and the 16
works which were in operation produced some 65 million bricks.

INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION BOARD

In order to assist and encourage the development of local indus-
tries, an Industrial Promotion Board with a million dollar revolving
fund was set up in April 1957. The Board received 56 applications
for assistance of one kind or another. These included applications
for:

(a) financial assistance;

(b) technical advice and aid;

(c) help in reorganising industrial methods;
(d) advice on marketing problems.

Financial assistance to the extent of $95,000 was authorised by
the Board to three enterprises for expansion and development.

124 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

CO-OPERATIVE DEPARTMENT

New types of societies hitherto unknown in Singapore were
Tegistered in 1957. For example, two Banks were registered, one
for Malay co-operatives, and the other for urban societies. Poultry
farmers banded themselves together in a society which enabled
them to sell 5,000 eggs per week from a centre in the City. Farmers
in the Bukit Panjang area were able to save $25,000 during the
year in a Co-operative Land Purchasing Society with the hope of
becoming owners of farming lands in the future. Market stall-
holders at the Lorong Tai Seng Market registered a society for
thrift and loan purposes. Indian milk sellers organised a Dairy
Farming Society with the object of purchasing grazing lands and
with the hope of supplying milk on more hygienic lines. Malay
motor car drivers established a Store Society to sell motor spare
parts at reasonable rates to the members. The first Co-operative
Store for those employed in the Public Services was set up in
1957. A total of 13 new societies were registered during the ven
bringing the total to 96. 7

Co-operative Adult Classes for Members

Three adult classes to teach Mandarin to the farmer members
were organised in the following Societies :

(a) Jurong Road, 14 m.s. Rural Co-operative Credit Society
Limited;

(b) Ama Keng Agricultural Co-operative Credit Society
Limited;

(c) Bukit Panjang Co-operative Land Purchasing Society
Limited.

Co-operative Education and Training

A total of 72 members of Co-operative Societies in four separate
classes were given week-end training courses in Co-operation, book-
keeping and accounts, by the officers of the Department. In addi-
tion, six leading members of Malay societies attended a two weeks’
Co-operative Leaders’ Training Course at the Co-operative Col-
lege, Kuala Lumpur.

Financial Assistance to the Singapore Agricultural Co-operative
Union Ltd.

Towards the end of 1957, the Singapore Government approved
an interest-free loan of $50,000 to the Singapore Agricultural Co-
operative Union Limited to start a scheme for the bulk import of

PRODUCTION 125

animal foodstuffs for sale to members. The Union was asked to
contribute a further $10,000 to the scheme, and this matter was
under consideration when the year ended.

Studies for Departmental and Other Government Officers

The Registrar of Co-operative Societies went to Hong Kong for
a period of 12 days to study the marketing of fish and vegetables.

The Chinese Co-operative Officer, Mr. Lim Ji How, was sent
to Ceylon under the Colombo Plan to study Co-operation for a
period of three months.

The Malay Co-operative Officer, Che’ Abdul Hamid, went to the
United Kingdom for a nine months’ course of study in Co-operation
at Longborough College.

The newly appointed second Chinese Co-operative Officer was
sent to the Co-operative College at Kuala Lumpur to complete the
six months’ course of training required under the terms of his
appointinent.

Mr. N. A. Kularajah, Chairman of the Singapore Co-operative
Union Limited, represented the Singapore Government at the Asian
Regional Training Course on Co-operation which was organised
by the I.L.O. at Nuwara Eliya, Ceylon, from 4th to 30th November,
1957. In addition, Mr. Kularajah was also given the opportunity
to study Co-operative Banking and Insurance for one week in
Colombo, Ceylon.

The following table shows the number of societies in Singapore:

Number of Societies

1956 1957
Thrift and Loan Societies 34 37
Thrift and Investments Societies 19 17
Credit and Rural Credit 8 9
Consumers 7 12
Marketing 9 10
Housing 2 2
Conveyance 1 1
Union ee 2 2
Banking ae — 2
' Miscellaneous Societies ] 4
83 96

VII

Planning and Housing

HORTLY AFTER the foundation of the Settlement of Singa-

pore, it became clear to Sir Stamford Raffles that, because of
the rapid increase in its immigrant population and the different
characters and occupations of its inhabitants, regulation of the
growth of the Settlement was required. Raffles’ instructions to his
Town Planning Committee in 1822 are telling evidence of his fore-
sight. Early plans for the Settlement foreshadowed the close
pattern of streets in the present city centre, the reservation of sites
for the Government and the division of the Settlement according
to the racial origins of its people. Traces of this last feature still
remain.

Some one hundred years of growth had created by the 1920s
a large and complex urban area, parts of which were already
ageing and unworthy of the territory. In 1927, the Government
constituted the Singapore Improvement Trust by Ordinance to
prepare schemes of improvement and to record and control the
disposal and development of land on the Island. Such schemes
involved the construction and reconstruction by the Trust of
dwellings and other buildings; and, in the course of time, the
Trust has become not only the planning authority but also the
Tecognised public housing authority in the Colony.

The Trust’s planning powers extend to all land on Singapore
Island and its housing estates are an outstanding feature of the
Island. The Singapore Improvement Ordinance provides for a
Board of Trustees, eleven in number including the chairman, and
appointed by the Governor in Council. Of the ten members other
than the Chairman, three are nominated by the Governor, two by
the City Council and one by the Rural Board: the remaining four
are ex-officio members—the Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Local
Government, Lands and Housing; the Chairman of the Rural
Board; the Director of Public Works; and the City Health Officer.
The Financial Secretary was, until 1957, a member of the Board,

PLANNING AND HOUSING 127

but has now been replaced by the Deputy Secretary, Ministry of
Local Government, Lands and Housing. The chief executive officer
of the Trust is the Manager. To deal with its large volume of
business, the Board has constituted committees to consider plan-
ning, building, finance, personnel and estates matters.

The Trust’s main source of revenue other than the rents of its
estates are a 2 per cent improvement rate levied on City property
and an equivalent contribution from the Government. Since 1948
the Trust’s development programmes have been dependent on
Government loan funds which, at the end of 1957, represented an
investment in public housing of $140.637 million.

PLANNING

Although certain by-laws relating to the development of specific
residential areas are operated by the City Council, control of the
use of land on Singapore Island is the direct responsibility of the
Singapore Improvement Trust. In discharging its functions, the
Trust works closely with central and local government departments
and is represented on various committees concerned with planning,
such as the Planning Co-ordination and Highways Co-ordination
Committees.

General Improvement Plan

The statutory record of decisions of the Trust on the disposal
and use of land is the General Improvement Plan as defined in the
Singapore Improvement Ordinance. During 1957, 1,401 applica-
tions for permission to develop land on the Island were considered
by the Trust; 653 were approved and 80 disapproved, the re-
mainder being withdrawn. Approved proposals represented 5,169
buildings including those on the Trust’s own housing programme.
Each application is the subject of consultation with all interested
central and local government departments and of consideration
by the Planning Committee and the Board of Trustees. With its
wide range of accurate information, the Trust is often asked for
information on matters concerning the disposal and use of
particular parcels of land.

Master Plan

The need was felt after the last war for a comprehensive survey
of land use and for the preparation of a Master Plan, based on
the results of a Survey indicating how all Jand in Singapore should
be used in future. In 1952 a Master Plan Team was set up to

128 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

carry out the survey and prepare a Master Plan. When the initial
survey was completed, a Master Plan was submitted to Govern-
ment in 1955. The Plan comprised a series of maps covering the
whole Island and indicating proposed uses of land. The maps were
described in a statutory document called the ‘Written Statement’.
Also submitted to Government with the Plan were the Report of
the Survey describing the field work and research carried out, and
the Reports of Study Groups and Working Parties of specialists
and those with local knowledge who assisted the Master Plan
Team in studies of population, traffic, building resources, industrial
resources and Central Area re-development. Early in 1956, the :
Master Plan was exhibited to the public and objections were
invited. 324 objections were made but many were the result of
misunderstandings and, by explanations and compromise, the
number was reduced to 99. These outstanding objections were the
subject of a Public Inquiry in June 1956, the results of which were
forwarded to Government for consideration. During the remainder
of 1956 and 1957, the Plan, the Reports and the objections were
closely examined by Government.

The principal proposals of the Master Plan are the construction
at Woodlands, Bulim and Yio Chu Kang of three new towns, each
with a total population of 200,000 and self-contained, with a cor-
porate life independent of the city. Around the City, to limit its
growth, it is proposed to provide a ‘Green Belt’ to be used for
playing fields, public parks, agriculture and other purposes in keep-
ing with its open nature. Ringed by the Green Belt, large areas will
remain for development, and extensive re-development of the old
areas of the City is proposed. Implementation of the Plan will
require a high housing rate of over 10,000 permanent dwellings a
year, supplemented by provision of temporary dwellings. It is pro-
posed that all this housing should be provided in planned settle-
ments and that, within each district, there should be community
centres, post offices, clinics and other community buildings to meet
the needs of the people near their homes. Two major problems
which the plan has aimed to solve are the need for extensive areas
for industry and the deficiency in recreational open space.

Within the outline provided by the Master Plan, it will be
necessary to prepare detailed development plans, and work on this
project has proceeded throughout 1957.

Future Administration of Planning

In 1956, the Committee on Local Government made certain
recommendations with regard to the future administration of

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PLANNING AND HOUSING 129

Planning Control; these were considered by the Government and
dealt with in a White Paper on Local Government Policy (Com-
mand 30 of 1956). The Government agreed that the Singapore
Improvement Trust should cease to exist and that the responsibility
for public housing and land development should be laid on a
Singapore Development Board appointed by the Government.
A Planning Department should be set up in the Ministry
of Local Government, Lands and Housing, to advise the
local authorities and to carry out detailed planning. It was en-
visaged that, in the course of time, the duties of this Planning
Department should be distributed to local authorities. The
administration of the Master Plan would continue to be the
responsibility of the Government. Provision should be made for an
appeal to the Minister against the planning decisions of local
authorities.

HOUSING

The efforts of public and private builders did not solve Singa-
pore’s housing problem in 1957. From the achievements in 1955,
when 6,634 permanent dwellings were constructed, the number fell
to 4,365 in 1956, and again still lower to 3,369 in 1957, while the
survey for the Master Plan gave the estimate that the minimum
housing programme, in the face of the increase in population and
the continuing deterioration of existing dwellings, should be 10,000
permanent dwellings a year, supplemented by a large number of
temporary dwellings. As achievement falls short of this figure. the
backlog increases, and the prospects of an eventual solution
diminish. The following graph gives a record of Housing in Singa-
pore showing the number of dwellings completed in each year
from 1948 to 1957.

The decrease in the number of units constructed in 1957 as
compared with the previous year has been due to the fact that
almost all the urban and suburban sites required for public
development had been, and continue to be, occupied by families
who, if evicted, would suffer great hardships. As a consequence,
public housing and other development has inevitably slowed
down, and in some cases they have come to a stop. It was not
until the Government established a Land and Resettlement
Authority to overcome this problem by providing alternative
accommodation, either by housing or resettlement, that any head-
way could be made in the provision of houses for the general
public. The Land and Resettlement Department has during 1957

130 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

EXISTING RATES OF PERMANENT HOUSING

OWELLINGS COMPLETED EACH YEAR

DWELLINGS COMPLETED IN EACH YEAR

Agency 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957

Private Enter-
prise Ses 360 685 839 780 1,486 2,054 2,161 3,202 2,000 1,851

S.LT. nee 597 = 828_—s: 1,102 1,304 1,886 2,041 1,872 2,795 1,273 1,300

Other Public
Authorities ... 351 873 950 925 690 851 954 737 1,090 218

Total ... 1,308 2,386 2,891 3,009 4,062 4,946 4,987 6,734 4,365 3,369

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PLANNING AND HOUSING 131

established 16 resettlement areas, comprising 2,578 acres, while a
further acreage of more than twice this size has been mapped and
designed for future use. During the year approximately $1,800,000
was used to this end, while a further $2,000,000 was included in
the Estimates for 1958.

Singapore Improvement Trust

For some years the Singapore Improvement Trust has been
responsible for almost half the total volume of housing constructed
in Singapore. It functions as the official Government agency for
public housing in the Colony.

From the time of its inception in 1927 until 1936, the only new
housing constructed by the Trust was the very limited amount
which resulted from its improvement schemes. By 1936, however,
a definite housing shortage had become apparent, especially
amongst the working classes, and the Trust began building low-
cost accommodation mainly for them. Before 1942, the Trust had
constructed 2,049 dwellings comprising 793 flats, 779 houses, 477
tenement rooms and 69 shops.

The large influx of population and the lack of authorised build-
ing during the Japanese occupation produced serious over-
crowding, and the housing shortage, on the resumption of Civil
Government in 1946, was acute, whilst building costs were very
high. But research into economical methods of planning and
construction produced designs which could still be rented at a
figure within the reach of large numbers of those who most needed
housing. The Trust, therefore, again began building towards the
end of 1946 and has since continued to build.

Many different types of dwellings have been produced with a
variety of structural schemes, most of them the result of the Trust’s
own research and experiment and ranging from single-storey
terrace quarters to a fourteen-storey block of flats. Rentals of post-
war properties range from $22 to $99 a month.

During 1957, 1,074 flats and maisonnettes, 200 houses and 70
shops were completed, bringing the total number of dwelling units
and shops constructed by the Trust to 17,567 with a total post-
war expenditure on buildings of over $100 million. The year was,
however, extremely successful in the amount of work inaugurated:
4,971 dwelling units and 124 shops were under construction at
the end of the year—almost double the previous highest figure
during the 30 years of activity by the Trust. The value of these
contracts amounted to over $30 million. At the end of the year,

132 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

contracts let covered all approved loans and programmes, with the
exception of some 2,000 units, 90 per cent of which it was hoped
to commence in the early months of 1958.

Units completed during 1957 were at Queenstown where the
first neighbourhood, Princess Estate, was completed; the former
Kallang Airport site; Bukit Timah Filter Bed; the village extension
scheme of 200 terrace houses at Bukit Panjang; and the Central
Area Slum Clearance Re-development at Albert Street. The major
schemes under construction, at the end of the year, were at Queens-
town, Kallang Airport, St. Michael’s Road and in the Central
Areas.

At Queenstown, Singapore’s first satellite town, development pro-
ceeded rapidly; 972 units were being built in the second neigh-
bourhood, Duchess Estate, where sites were being developed with
schools and other community facilities. Main and estate roads were
under construction and the remaining three neighbourhoods were
planned in detail.

At Kallang, where the Trust is developing the old airport site, |
2,726 dwelling units were under construction along with shops,
markets, cottage industries and schools. Sites were also reserved
for other community purposes. The housing units are of one, two
and three rooms planned to the most economical standards possible
and will prepare the way for the clearance and development of a
large overcrowded slum area.

At St. Michael’s Road, the old Telecommunications site is being
re-developed on similar lines with approximately 1,800 units. Two
further Central Area Re-development Schemes at Rochore Canal
Road and Upper Pickering Street were nearing completion at the
end of the year and will help to solve the slum clearance problem
as they are being developed with two-room dwellings.

The sharp rise in building costs noted at the end of 1956 con-
tinued during the early months of 1957, but after the re-opening
of the Suez Canal, there was an appreciable, though gradual, fall
which continued till almost the end of the year when prices
appeared to become reasonably stable.

In October 1957, the Trust forwarded to Government for con-
sideration a further Building Programme (No. 9) of 6,641 units
and 206 shops at a total estimated cost of $38.7 million.

Public Authorities Housing

The City Council and the Singapore Harbour Board provide
housing for many of their employees and the Government, through
the Public Works Department, for its officers.

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PLANNING AND HOUSING 133

PUBLICLY OWNED HOUSES
Constructed in 1957

: T
ee Cost U gen
of 1957
$
Singapore Improvement Trust ... 1,300 8.5 million 17,523
Public Works Department sas 323 1.44 = million 8,870
City Council oe aes 4 0.0375 million 4,616

Singapore Harbour Board i 72 0.58 million 5,849

Private Building

The erection of private buildings is controlled by the City
Council for the City area and by the Rural Board for the rural
areas, in accordance with building regulations and by-laws admini-
stered by the two authorities.

The following figures illustrate private building activity during
1957. Comparative figures for the preceding year are also given:

PRIVATE BUILDINGS

1956 1957
City Rural City Rural
Plans approved ee 1,912 536 1,734 $37
Buildings completed... 1,025 1,388 855 922

In the City area, 673 residential or partly residential buildings
containing 1,222 housing units were erected by private enterprise.
Two new cinemas were completed during the year and work on
another four was started. A new church was completed at
Thomson Road, and another which was started in the same road
should be finished in 1958.

In the rural areas, of the 922 buildings completed, 886 buildings
were designed for dwelling purposes. They contain 1,318 housing
units. Apart from these buildings, the total number of units in
housing estates were 5,969, of which 3,188 units were already
built and occupied and 1,146 units are in the course of erection.

Under the scheme introduced by the Government in 1953 for
advancing loans up to 95 per cent of their cost to its employees
for the purchase of houses through a building society, a sum of
half a million dollars was loaned out during the year, this sum
being covered by the grant of 35 loans. The number of houses
completed and occupied was 19.

134 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

The rent of all properties built and completed before 7th
September, 1947, are subject to the Control of Rent Ordinance,
1953, under which rents of houses cannot be increased beyond the
rents prevailing on Ist August, 1939, except by fixed amounts
ranging from 5 to 20 per cent according to the class of house.
The Rent Conciliation Board, constituted under the Ordinance,
hears applications either by the landlord or tenant to vary or fix
the rent and its order binds both parties. The Board consists of
a Chairman with legal qualifications, and a panel of 17 unofficial
members. In 1957, the Board dealt with a total of 291 cases. Build-
ings erected after 7th September, 1947, are not subject to control,
and their rents are not restricted in any way.

IX

Education

HE NEW policy of education, introduced by the present

Government on the basis of the All-Party Committee of the
Legislative Assembly on Chinese Education, was consolidated in
1957. The basic principles are equality of status for all schools,
recognition of four languages as instruments of education, and the
building up of text books and syllabuses with a common focus
on loyalty to Singapore in a Malayan context. This marked the
birth of a genuinely unified national system of education. One
Ordinance applies to all schools; one Educational Advisory Coun-
cil advises the Minister on policy; grants-in-aid and salaries and
conditions of training and service are similar for all schools. The
first Government Schools in Chinese were started and syllabuses
were planned for use in all schools; and the general policy was
laid down that upon a basis of free primary education there should
be developed such secondary, vocational, and higher education as
would best meet the needs of the country.

The education system therefore provides for free, though not
compulsory, primary education for six years up to 12 years of
age, with Chinese, English, Malay and Tamil as the medium of
instruction according to the parents’ choice. |

It was estimated that to provide this education Government
should build ten new primary schools each year. But as early as
1950 it was realised that this already large figure was inadequate
and a Supplementary Five-Year Plan was introduced calling for
the building of an additional 18 schools a year.

It has not been possible to keep up with this building programme,
the main difficulty being the scarcity of suitable building sites in
the thickly populated areas where the demand for ents iS

greatest.

136 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

To compensate for the paucity of sites in the urban areas more
economical use was made of those available by building three-
storied primary schools and by erecting two or more school-
buildings on a single site. This, combined with the use of one
building to house two sessions—one in the morning and one in
the afternoon—has helped to meet the shortage.

In 1957, the Government’s full aid scheme was extended to cover
all Chinese Schools. This aid was first offered to Chinese Schools
in 1954 but until the end of 1956 only 137 schools had accepted
the offer. In 1957, however, 96 more Chinese Schools, with an
enrolment of 59,600, came under the scheme.

Three Government Chinese Schools were established in 1957
out of the classes formed in 1956 to accommodate Chinese Middle
School students whose schooling was disrupted by the disturbances
in the Chinese Schools which led to the riots of October 1956.

BUILDING PROGRAMME
PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Planned Completed

1950 ~=—_— ‘18 18

1951 } 18+1 extension 17+1 extension

1952

1953 18 2

1954 18 6

1955 18 11

1956 15 23

1957 13+6 extensions 19+5 extensions
Total 118+7 extensions 96+6 extensions

SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Planned Completed

1951 2 2

1952 2 1

1953 2 1+1 extension

1954 2 2+2 extensions

1955 2 1

1956 4 2 (technical)

1957 6 2

TYPES OF SCHOOLS

The schools are commonly referred to as Chinese, English,
Malay and Tamil schools according to the medium of instruction

EDUCATION 137

used. In the English schools, one other language is compulsory;
and in the other schools, English is a compulsory subject. Shortage
of vernacular teachers, however, has prevented the complete imple-
mentation of this policy.

These same schools are also grouped as Government schools,
aided schools and private schools. Government schools are those
wholly financed by Government. Aided schools receive assistance
from Government in the form of:

(a) the difference between fees collected and salaries of staff;
(b) a capitation grant towards maintenance and minor repairs;

(c) a dollar for dollar contribution towards cost of new build-
ings and extensions, furniture, equipment and the
periodic painting and colour washing of buildings.

Private schools are in nearly all cases those run for profit and
are not subsidised by Government. The majority of these are
kindergarten schools and institutions of a specialised nature, e.g.
schools of dancing, which do not give an ordinary school course.
However, all types of schools must comply with regulations as
embodied in the Education Ordinance, 1957, which govern teach-
ing, accommodation, management, finance, staff, hygiene and
sanitation, discipline, etc. and in which provision is made for
educational, medical, and health inspections.

PRIMARY EDUCATION

The Chinese, English, Malay and Tamil, Government and
Government-aided primary schools, all provide six years’ free
primary education with English as a common language, although
it is not used as the medium of instruction except in the English
schools. In the English schools one of the three other languages
is compulsory.

Six Malay schools and one Tamil school provide a seventh year
of primary education. The pupils of English and Malay primary
schools sit the common entrance examination for admission to
secondary English schools. In 1957, there were 6,201 candidates
for this entrance examination of which 898 were from Malay
schools. 3,325 were selected for secondary education.

SECONDARY EDUCATION

Only the Chinese and English schools provide secondary educa-
tion. In Chinese schools it is six years while in English schools it

138 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

is four years. At the end of the four-year course in English schools,
the pupils sit the Overseas Cambridge School Certificate examina-
tion. The number of candidates in 1957 was 3,195 out of which
2,303 were successful. Those preparing to enter the University of
Malaya take a two-year Post-School Certificate Course and sit the
Cambridge Higher School Certificate Examination. There were 92
candidates for the higher examination with 54 successes.

Chinese secondary schools absorb the pupils from Chinese
primary schools. After three years in the Senior Middle School
pupils sit a Government Examination. In 1957 1,601 sat and 949
passed this examination. Pupils who pass this examination may be
accepted for Overseas Cambridge School Certificate and Higher
Certificate classes. Those who wish to gain entrance into the
Nanyang University take an additional year in the Chinese school.

SYLLABUSES AND TEXT-BOOKS

The new Education Ordinance and Grant-in-Aid and General
Regulations came into force in 1957. They provide for the registra-
tion of all schools and give the Director of Education wider powers.
The policy of developing a common loyalty to Singapore requires
the syllabuses for the different language-medium schools to have
a common content. The Syllabuses and Text-books Committee with
its sub-committees for each subject were working on common
syllabuses for the various subjects. The syllabuses for physical
education, civics and geography were completed in 1957 and it is
expected that the others will be available in 1958. This Committee
will also undertake the recommendation and, where necessary, the
compilation of suitable text-books.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical education in the Colony aims to provide training
facilities for sports and games for as many as possible and to give
schoolboys and schoolgirls a balanced outlook on life with healthy
outlets for superfluous energy.

There was steady improvement in standards which now com-
pare favourably with most other countries of the world. With
the return of four students from Physical Education Courses in
England, excellent progress was made in the training of teachers
in this subject which is now compulsory in the Teachers’ Training
College.

EDUCATION 139

Athletics are very popular in all schools and the games played are
cricket, rugger, soccer, basket-ball, badminton, net-ball, and volley-
ball. Facilities for swimming have not been good, but increased use
has been made of the public swimming pools.

With the formation of the Indian Schools’ Sports Council and
the Malay Schools’ Sports Council in 1957 there were five Sports
Councils. The others were the Boys’ Secondary Schools’ Sports
Council, the Chinese Schools’ Sports Council and the Girls’ Second-
ary Schools’ Sports Council.

RELIGIOUS TEACHING

An Ethics and Religion Committee to study the question of
moral instruction for Singapore schools was formed in 1955. The
first meeting was convened on 10th January, 1956, and resolutions
passed by the Committee and accepted by Government in 1957 were
briefly : (a) that every child in school should receive instruction in
religious knowledge or ethics; (b) that there should be facilities for
instruction of children in their own religion; (c) that this religious
instruction should be given within school hours and on the school
premises; (d) that no child should receive religious instruction if his
parents object to it; and (e) that ethics should be taught to all
children wherever practicable.

The Committee was actively engaged in preparing material and
a fact-finding questionnaire.

A number of religious bodies have formed groups which are
active among the students of the Teachers’ Training College.

TEACHERS’ TRAINING

The most notable feature of teacher-training was that by the
end of 1957 the entire teacher-training programme came under the
wing of the Teachers’ Training College and arrangements were
made for a large number of untrained teachers of Chinese, English,
and Malay schools to undergo training.

Fuil-time and in-service courses were conducted by the College.
The Certificate Courses (English and Chinese) are two-year full-
time courses, while there are also three-year part-time courses,
called Normal courses, for serving teachers in Chinese, English and
Malay schools. There is also a post-Normal course of one year, for
Normal-trained teachers with some years of teaching experience,
which is designed to enable those who complete the course success-
fully to enter the Singapore Education Service.

140 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

The minimum academic qualification for entry to the English
Certificate Course is the Cambridge School Certificate with a Credit
in English Language, a pass in Oral English and two other
approved Credits. Selection has been highly competitive and candi-
dates sit an entrance examination. For entry to the Chinese Certi-
ficate Course, the qualification required is a Pass in the Govern-
ment Senior Middle Examination. The entry requirements for the
Normal Courses are somewhat lower, although the School Certi-
ficate and the Senior Middle Certificate remain the basis for
selection.

ENROLMENT FIGURES

1956 1957

Male Female Total Male Female Total
English Normal ... 936 565 ‘1,501 820 486 =: 1,306
Chinese Normal ... 133 168 301 202 224 426
Malay Normal .... — — — 24 21 45
English Certificate 135 114 249 110 143 253
Chinese Certificate 113 53 166 66 53 119
Post Normal eae 10 17 27 12 19 31

Total ... 1,327 917 =—-2,244—s «1,234 946 2,180

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Full-time pre-Apprentice trade courses are provided in the
Balestier Junior Trade School in which the medium of instruction
is English. Boys are given the choice of instruction in a number
of artisan occupations, including General Mechanics, Motor
Mechanics, Radio Repair Work, Carpentry and Joinery, and
General Building Construction. 274 boys were on the school roll
in January, 1957. The Junior Trade School also conducts evening
classes in preparation for the City and Guilds of London Institute
examination. The total enrolment in May, 1957, was 1,605, of
which approximately 1,000 are expected to complete the courses.

The first group from the two Secondary Technical Schools—
Tanjong Katong and Queenstown—will take the General Certificate
of Education, conducted by the Associated Examining Board, in
1959.

The demand for Secondary Technical Education stimulated
Government to build a third school, a Comprehensive Technical
School with provision for Commercial studies.

Secondary Commercial Education is provided in the Outram
School, where the pupils sit the L.C.C. Commercial Certificate.

EDUCATION 141

The Government of Singapore has undertaken complete respon-
sibility for the financing of the Singapore Polytechnic. Construction
progressed satisfactorily and Secretarial, Commercial, Town Plan-
ning, Navigation and Radio operators’ courses commenced in other
buildings.

SCHOOLS, TEACHERS AND PUPILS, 1957

No.of | NUMBER OF NUMBER OF
Medium of Instruction genools PUPILS TEACHERS

Boys Girls Total Men Women Total
A. Government Schools

English... ... 179 52,309 31,710 84,019 1,997 1,231 3,228
Malay sey .. 65 7,185 6,127 13,312 329 190 519
Chinese... .. 9 2,390 1,257 3,647 107 32 139
Junior Technical School 1 251 — 251 20 — 20

Secondary Technical
School ... eu 681 — 681 26 — 26

Total ... 257 62,816 39,094 101,910 2,479 1,453 3,932

B. Government Aided

Schools

English... .- 61 15,828 16,112 31,940 443 826 1,269
Chinese... ... 233 66,019 44,209 110,228 1,787 1,714 3,501
Tamil et rae 523 828 1,351 28 19 47
Malay woe 1 53 54 107 2 1 3
Junior Technical School j 196 — 196 20 — 20

Total ... 313 82,619 61,203 143,822 2,280 2,560 4,840

C. Non-Aided Schools
English... .. 70 6,565 4,109 10,674 172 246 418
Chinese... ... Jf 2,071 1,428 3,499 51 45 96

Total ... 107 8,636 5,637 14,273 223 291 514
Total Registered Schools 677 154,071 105,934 260,095 4,982 4,304 9,286

Other Registered Institu-
tions... . 58 7,735 4,952 12,687 192 53 245
Total Registered Institu-

tions and Schools... 735 161,806 110,886 272,692 5,174 4,357 9,531

D. Schools not yet sie

ler eee oo = oe “ so = —

Grand Total ... 735 161,806 110,886 272,692 5,174 4,357 9,531

The figures do not include students in the University, the Teachers’ Training College and
classes run by the Adult Education Council.

142 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

SCHOOLS BROADCASTING

The number of schools using Schools Broadcasts at the end of
1957 was as folows:

English ee a 250
Malay ne os 32 |
Chinese ae Ses 97
Tamil _ _ 16

The total of 395 was higher by 30 than the total for 1956.

The English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil Schools Sections each
broadcast nine programmes a week during term-time. Some of the
programmes were repeated in the morning for the convenience of
listening schools of all four languages and in the afternoon for
English, Malay and Chinese afternoon schools. Total broadcasting
time per week, including repetitions, for each of the four sections
was as follows:

English a 11 hours 30 minutes
Malay on 8 hours 20 minutes
Chinese he 7 hours 5 minutes
Tamil a 3 hours 9 minutes

Broadcasts to English schools continued on similar lines as in
previous years but many schools found it difficult to find time for
listening because of a heavy syllabus. For Malay schools, a series
of interviews with Federation and Singapore Ministers was broad-
cast, and inter-school Quiz and Debate programmes, in which
children of listening schools participated, were successfully
recorded and broadcast. For Chinese schools, programmes teaching
the English language were increased. Programmes for Tamil
schools were broadcast on similar lines as in 1956 but listening was
limited because most Tamil schools did not have separate class-
rooms for different standards, and listening by pupils of one stand-
ard disturbs the others.

HIGHER EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA

The University of Malaya was established in 1949 as the result
of a Report on Higher Education made by a Commission headed
by Sir Alexander Carr-Saunders. It is sponsored and financed
jointly by the Governments of the Federation of Malaya and of
Singapore. Financial assistance has been in the form of recurrent
and capital grants. Up to 1954 the recurrent grants were made on.

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EDUCATION 143

an .annual basis and the Federation Government contributed
approximately 60 per cent and the Singapore Government 40 per
cent of the grant. Commencing with the University financial year,
1954/55, the Governments agreed to allocate grants to the Univer-
sity on a quinquennial basis and to contribute together $54 million
per annum, rising by $300,000 every year in the years 1954/55 to
1958/59.

In 1957, it was agreed that the quinquennium would come to an
end in December 1958, instead of June 1959, and Government
grants were raised from $6.4 million to $7.4 million. The two
Governments had by the end of 1957 contributed $7 million in
capital grants to the University and had made partial contributions
towards a further promised sum of $7 million for future develop-
ment. The financial year ending June 1957, showed a deficit of
some $435,000 for which the Governments had guaranteed re-
imbursement to the University. The Accumulated Fund was no
longer available to meet further expenditure.

The total value of development projects approved or proposed
during the year was $30.8 million—$17.3 million for projects in
Singapore and $13.5 million for those in Kuala Lumpur. Some of
the projects were completed, others were in progress or being
planned. A welcome gift of $200,000 over a period of five years
towards the cost of building Raffles Hall was made by the estate
of: Reuben Manasseh Meyer. The Government of New Zealand
promised financial assistance towards the proposed new Depart-
ment of Agriculture.

The main University buildings are located in Singapore on the
sites of the former Raffles College and at King Edward VII College
of Medicine to which additions have been made since the Univer-
sity was established. In Kuala Lumpur, temporary accommodation
was made available to enable some University teaching to start in
September 1957, while plans were proceeding for permanent Uni-
versity buildings in Petaling Jaya on a site comprising some 600
acres.

The Court and Council of the University are statutory bodies
constituted under the laws of the two territories. The University
is Organised in three faculties: Arts, Science and Medicine
(including Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy). The Depart-
ments of Engineering and Law are not included in any of the
Faculties. An appointment to the Chair of Law was made in 1956
and teaching for both full and part-time students began in
September 1957. Legislation to establish a School of Education was
completed by the end of the year.

144 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

In the Faculty of Arts, the introduction of teaching in Tamil
completed the trinity of departments in Oriental Studies. A post-
Diploma course in Social Studies providing specialisation in
advanced social work was introduced. In the session 1957/58,
the course began with specialisation in medical social work for
the training of Hospital Almoners. In the Faculty of Science,
Biochemistry was added as a subject in the second year.

The University entered into a formal relationship with the
Muslim College, Klang. Under this arrangement certain subjects
taught in the College will be approved by the University as subjects
that may be offered for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts, and suit-
ably qualified students of the College will be permitted to
matriculate as students of the University reading for an Arts degree.
The arrangement also provided for the appointment by the Univer-
sity Senate of representatives to the College Council and the
recognition of certain teachers in the College, selected by Boards
of Selection constituted under the University Constitution, while
the College retains its separate identity and financial independence.

On the proposal of the Malayan Examinations Board, the Uni-
versity, the Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate, and the
local Governments agreed to use the Cambridge Higher School
Certificate as the basis for admission to the University. The date
of the University year will be adjusted accordingly to run from
April to December instead of from October to June. The change-
over is expected to be completed by April 1959.

The distribution of the students is shown in the following tables :

By territory Percentage
Federation of Malaya ne 1,134 62
Singapore ... a re 622 34
Sarawak and North Borneo et 25 |
Others a ne se 44 3
1,825 100

By sex By race

Male... ae 1,401 Chinese ... 2s 1,145

Female ... sth 424 Malay ... ba 228

Indian ... tea 229

Ceylonese fuk 140

1,825 Eurasian Nee 47

aie Others ... ae 36

EDUCATION 145

By course of study Total Singapore
Arts... fa = 844 306
Law... i er 42 22
Science Be. ae 227 69
Engineering on se 92 32
Medicine pass sal 493 162
Dentistry dee Sos 109 26
Pharmacy Jae — 18 5

1,825 622

The Chancellor of the University of Malaya since its foundation
has been His Excellency the Right Hon. Malcolm MacDonald,
formerly the Commissioner-General for the United Kingdom in
South-East Asia and now U.K. High Commissioner in India. The
permanent staff comprises the Vice-Chancellor and an academic
and administrative staff of about 208 drawn from all races. There
are 32 full departments of study.

The University has grown rapidly since its foundation and the
early plans for its expansion have had to be completely recon-
sidered. A number of new buildings have been started or completed
both on the Bukit Timah and on the Medical College sites. The
re-alignment of roads in the Bukit Timah area was completed by
the middle of 1957 and the new men’s college and women’s college
under construction are expected to be ready for occupation in 1958.
The King Edward VII Hall, on the General Hospital grounds, is
the first of the University’s residential colleges. It was opened by
the Prime Minister of the Federation of Malaya, for occupation by
students in their clinical medical years, at the beginning of the
Session 1957/58.

The Library contains some 29,500 volumes in the Medical
section and some 220,000 in the Arts and Science section. The
latter includes about 134,500 volumes in Chinese, one of the
largest collections outside China and Formosa. The most up-to-
date storage, cataloguing and microfilming equipment is installed.

NANYANG UNIVERSITY

The Nanyang University which is registered as a limited liability
company was first planned in 1954. The grounds comprise 500
acres off Jurong Road some 15 miles from the centre of the city.
The main buildings consist of an administrative block and three
blocks for the faculties of Arts, Science, and Commerce. Extensive

146 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

hostel accommodation and living quarters for the staff have also
been built. The University first admitted undergraduates in 1956
and the inauguration ceremony is proposed for early 1958.

The University is composed of three colleges:

(a) the College of Arts consisting of the Departments of
Chinese Language and Literature, Modern Languages,
History and Geography, Economics and Political
Science, and Education;

(b) the College of Science with the Departments of Mathe-
matics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology;

(c) the College of Commerce which embraces the Departments
of Industrial and Commercial Management, Banking
and Accountancy, and International Trade.

DISTRIBUTION OF STUDENTS

Arts... 7 dake 388
Science ee el 327
Commerce Sa ao 185

Total ... 900
Male .... i _ 711
Female aus a 189
Resident students ... oe 764

The Library is growing steadily and has some 50,000 books and
periodicals.

FURTHER EDUCATION OVERSEAS

Large numbers of students from Singapore seek higher education
abroad, mostly in the United Kingdom and Australia. Many are
assisted by Government Scholarships and Fellowships which are
normally reserved for courses of study not provided locally.
Scholarships and Assistance Grants are also provided under the
Colombo Plan, from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund,
and from such bodies as the World Health Organisation and the
International Labour Office. Many also go overseas to study at
their own expense. They are, however, advised to consult the
Ministry of Education in Singapore before doing so. As not all
do so, it is not possible to give accurate figures for the private
students abroad, but it is known that there were 130 students from
Singapore attending United Kingdom universities at the beginning
of the 1957/58 academic year.

EDUCATION 147

The following is a table of students abroad who were sponsored
by, or applied through, the Ministry of Education:

Type of students No. Place
Departmental Fellows... — 8 United Kingdom
Departmental Trainees _... oe 1 United Kingdom
Departmental Scholars __... we 10 United Kingdom
Colombo Plan a8 ae 19 Australia
Colombo Plan a ak 11 New Zealand
Queen’s Scholars _ igs 5 United Kingdom
Queen’s Fellows ‘cs ad 1 United Kingdom
U.S.LS. ee ae she 5 U.S.A.

Private os ae Sa 82 United Kingdom
Private ee _ oe 14 Australia

ADULT EBDUCATION

The Singapore Council for Adult Education, with the help of
various associations, runs literacy and basic education classes for
adults. School buildings are used in the evenings for these classes.
In 1957 there were 106 centres run by 12 associations, with a total
enrolment of 12,892 students. There were 331 English, 147 Man-
darin, 24 Malay and one Tamil classes. In addition there was one
Mathematics class.

In the Further Education section, courses were given in English,
Economics, History, Science, Health and Hygiene, Law, Chinese
Literature, and Geography.

- The programme for Cultural Education was somewhat curtailed
in 1957 owing to shortage of funds, but a more ambitious pro-
gramme is planned for 1958.

_ The Cultural Centre was opened in June 1957, and cultural
organisations have made good use of it for concerts, plays,
film-shows, meetings, lectures and classes. It fulfilled the purpose
for which it had been built and became the centre for the cultural
and civic education of adults in Singapore.

The Government grant to the Council for Adult Education was
$377,000 for 1956 and $500,000 for 1957.

The Ministry organised evening classes for adults at several
secondary schools and at the Balestier Junior Trade School.

FINANCE _

The cost of education for the year including capital costs was
$57,146,928. The corresponding figures for 1955 and 1956 were
$40,227,961 and $46,125,074. The Government provides the salaries

148 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

of the officers and teachers employed by the Ministry of Education
and the cost of buildings, furniture and equipment for Government
schools. Financial aid is also provided for most other Singapore
schools mainly in the form of grants to cover running costs (includ-
ing teachers’ salaries), and capital grants in approved cases to cover
half the cost of new buildings, furniture, equipment and major
repairs. The total amount paid by the Government in the form of
grants-in-aid rose from $15,166,218 in 1956 to $20,388,694 in 1957.
Grants-in-aid to Chinese schools increased by some 50 per cent
and are now 60 per cent higher than those to English schools.

GRANTS-IN-AID

1956 1957
$ $
English Schools eke 6,919,048 7,321,784
Chinese Schools coed 8,123,638 12,939,601
Indian Schools sin 123,532 127,309

Total ... 15,166,218 20,388,694

The amount received in fees from pupils amounted to $723,138
as against $595,414 in 1956. Education in the primary schools is
provided free for children who are locally born and of the correct
age for the class they are in. For others, tuition fees are charged
at the rate of $2.50 per month in primary classes. In secondary
classes the fees are $4 per month for boys and $3 for girls. There
is an extensive scheme for the remission of fees for needy pupils.

The Government’s contribution to the cost of education is
supplemented by a contribution from the City Council and the
Rural Board rates which amounted to $1,571,376 in 1956 and
$1,647,394 in 1957.

MUSEUM, LIBRARY AND LEARNED BODIES

Raffles Museum

The Museum was established in its present form in 1887. The
collections are preponderantly of Malaysian natural history, ethno-
graphy and antiquities. Much work was done to modernise the
exhibition galleries and cases have been redesigned and fluorescent
lighting installed. The main collections of prehistoric and archzo-
logical material were rearranged.

GRD

ee? BOS

THE YOUNGE?..GENERATION
fra hg ee

T . *_reroqom.

THE YOUNGER GENERATION
Top—At play.
Below—In the playground.

EDUCATION 149

Raffies Library

Raffles Library was formed in 1844 but was known as the Singa-
pore Library until 1874. It is a subscription library and now has a
stock of about 100,000 volumes, mainly in English.

There are three branch libraries which open during the after-.
noons or evenings on four days a week. These branches are in com-
munity centres.

A library with about 1,000 books in Chinese and the same
number in English, with some Malay and Tamil books, was opened
in November 1956 in the Community Centre at Yio Chu Kang
where the population is predominantly Chinese. This was the first
of its kind to be opened in Singapore.

The main Raffles Library has, besides its substantial collection of
reference books, one of the finest collections of books on Malaya.
It houses a collection of Government documents from the begin-
nings of British Government in Malaya and has sets of bound
newspapers dating back many years.

The foundation stone for a new building was laid in 1957 by
Mr. Lee Kong Chian whose offer of $375,000 through the Lee
Foundation resulted in proposals for a new building.

From January 1957, sheet music and miniature scores were made
available to subscribers.

The number of books issued during the year was 338,978; an
increase of 55,455 over the previous year. Forty-one per cent of
the total number of books lent were issued to children.

Towards the end of 1957 the Raffles National Library Ordinance
was passed. This provided for the management of the library under
the name Raffles National Library and for an island-wide library
and bibliographical service.

Learned Bodies

The Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society whose head-
quarters are at Raffles Museum was founded in 1878. It is the
principal society in Malaya devoted to anthropological, anti-
quarian and kindred subjects. Since its foundation it has published
a journal to which many orientalists have contributed. Natural
history is covered by the Malayan Nature Society. The University
of Malaya has started other bodies devoted to research in medicine,
mathematics, science, history and archeology.

xX
Health

HE MINISTRY OF HEALTH and the Health Department of

the City Council are the authorities responsible for the treat-
ment and prevention of disease in Singapore. It is the aim of
Government to provide as comprehensive a health service as
possible and to make this service equally accessible to both the
urban and rural populations. The steady improvement in the health
of the community is a measure of the success of these services.

During 1957, there was a steady advance in all branches of
Government’s Medical and Health Services. A wider range of
medical services were provided on a greater scale to a population
that has become fully aware of the benefits of modern medicine.
To keep pace with the increasing demand of a rapidly growing
population, building development continued. New training centres
were opened and planned to provide specially trained staff for the
varied requirements of an efficient medical service; more members
of the staff were sent for higher and advanced training, both locally
and overseas.

In spite of the presence of epidemic diseases in neighbouring
territories and the large numbers of persons passing through Singa-
pore, the Island has remained free of the major epidemic diseases
such as plague, cholera or small-pox. Malaria has not occurred on
the main Island for the last seven years and may be considered
as having been completely eradicated.

More hospital beds were added during the year. A new General
Out-patient Clinic was opened at Kallang to serve the Eastern
side of the Island. Three main Rural Maternal and Child Health
Centres and three Rural Midwife Centres were also opened.

The new Institute of Health which was rapidly nearing comple-
tion at the end of 1957 and which will open early in 1958 will
represent an entirely new concept of the problem of public health
and will bring together, for the first time, the research, teaching and
practice of public health and preventive medicine in one building.

HEALTH 151

The Institute will house the Government’s School Health Service,
the Department of Social Medicine and Public Health of the
University of Malaya, and the City Council’s Maternal and Child
Welfare Department.

In the City area, the enforcement of public health measures,
including the sampling of foods and the provision of infant welfare
centres, is undertaken by the Health Department of the City
Council. In the rural areas, the Health Branch of the Ministry of
Health provides environmental health services on behalf of the
Rural Board. The Ministry of Health provides hospitals and out-
patient services throughout the Colony as well as an island-wide
School Medical and Dental Service, an Airport and Port Health
Quarantine service, and Maternity and Child Health services in the
rural areas. The expansion of all these services has been proceeding
as rapidly as possible.

In addition, a large number of voluntary bodies, with the aid
and encouragement of Government, continued to play a very
important part in the medical care and welfare of the people.
Valuable assistance is also being received from the World Health
Organisation.

The evaluation of the benefits of the health services are indicated
in the statistics of the year. The crude birth rate in 1957 was 42.9
and the crude death rate stood at a record of 7.3 per 1,000 persons.
These rates based on the preliminary 1957 Census figures (a
population of 1,474,063 for Singapore and 2,620 for Christmas
Island) confirmed the belief that the previous rates calculated for
the intercensal years were higher than they ought to be, because
of the fact that the estimates of the population base on which
such rates were computed were considerably under-estimated. The
infant mortality rate declined from 87.33 in 1947 to 41.11 per 1,000
live births. The maternal mortality rate remains low at 0.9 per
1,000 live births.

MEDICAL STAFF

While the expansion of preventive and curative services con-
tinued, physical development and training of professional and
ancillary staff has not been able to keep pace with public demand
for medical services. 32 out of an establishment of 177 medical
officers were overseas on study leave in 1957. Other para-
medical personnel on study tour bring the number to approxi-
mately 50.

Government’s statement of policy on Malayanisation was
published as a White Paper (Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 65 of

152 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

1956) in December 1956. The combined post of Permanent Secre-
tary to the Ministry of Health and Director of Medical Services
was Malayanised in March 1957. The remaining 16 expatriate
medical officers in the permanent service were offered continued
employment for periods ranging from one to ten years. By the end
of the year, only eight of them were in service and, of the eight,
three had applied for permission to retire under the Malayanisation
Scheme.

Of the nine expatriate Matrons and 33 Nursing Sisters, five
Matrons and 13 Nursing Sisters retired under the Malayanisa-
tion Scheme. Although a proportion of the vacancies are being
filled by promotion of suitable locally-trained nurses, many
vacancies will still remain. Recently completed wards at Tan Tock
Seng Hospital and Woodbridge Hospital remain vacant awaiting
availability of nursing personnel.

There is also an acute shortage of ancillary staff. Recruitment
and specialised training of medical officers and of other para-
medical personnel is being undertaken at a rapid rate.

Primary Examination of the R.A.C.S.

Under the Colombo Plan, the Royal Australasian College of Sur-
geons conducted a Primary Examination for their Fellowship in
Singapore in March/April 1957. A preliminary preparatory study
course was conducted by Australian lecturers to prepare candidates
for the examination. A total of 34 doctors and one dental surgeon
attended the course, of whom 20 were from the Medical Depart-
ment, Singapore. A total of 41 sat the Primary Examination and,
of the 11 who were successful, six were Singapore Government
employees.

Training of Nursing and Ancillary Personnel

There were approximately 600 student nurses in training at the
General Hospital. The capacity of the new Nurses Training School
opened in 1956 has already been exceeded and a second Train-
ing School was under consideration. A total of 111 nurses (93
females and 8 males) passed their Final Examination in Nursing
during 1957. Forty-four nurses also passed the examination of the
Midwives Board after completion of their midwifery training at
Kandang Kerbau Hospital. During 1957, a total of 162 student
nurses (150 females and 12 males) were recruited.

Assistant Nurses were trained at Tan Tock Seng Hospital and,
during the year, 86 were accepted for training. During the same
period 42 passed the Final Examination.

HEALTH 153

Midwives are trained in Kandang Kerbau Hospital. 52 pupils
were accepted for training, and 33 passed the examination set by
the Midwives Board.

Psychiatric Nurses Training began in January 1957, and six out
of seven nurses passed the Examination for the Psychiatric Nursing
Certificate in October 1957.

The first Health Visitor’s course was started in November 1957,
with eight Health Nurses attending. The course will be combined
with a course for District Nurses and will take 12 months.

30 Public Health Inspectors attended a course of training
held under the auspices of the Royal Society of Health. Of the
38 candidates (including those who had failed previously) who
appeared for the Final Examination for the Public Health Inspec-
tor’s Certificate, 33 passed.

10 Pupil Almoners are under training locally. 5 Pupil
Occupational Therapists and 5 Pupil Physiotherapists are over-
seas under training, 2 Radiographers received special training
in Australia during the year in mass radiographic surveys and
five Male Nurses are receiving training overseas in Psychiatric
Nursing.

THE MEDICAL REGISTERS
(31st December, 1957)

REGISTERED

Doctors Dentists Female Male Assistant Mid- Pharma-
Nurses Nurses Nurses wives cists

Government Medical Department 234 36 522® 204f 171 72 17

City Council ane a 17 ah 92 26 ni 18

Rural Board ee deel Bus we ite isi oe 58

University (teaching staff) ti 39 12 ai sis ae ies 5
fauciiees res — 329 286f 204 10 23 91 65

Housemen ota ae 32

651 334% 818 240t 194 239§ 87

The above table does not include medical personnel in the Armed Services.

* There are in addition some 600 student nurses in training.

t Includes some 154 Hospital Assistants.

t This includes 242 registered Division II dentists.

§ This figure relates only to midwives actually practising; nearly all trained nurses have a mid-
wifery certificate.

154 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

FINANCE

The work of the Ministry of Health is financed predominantly
from public revenues and the work of the City Council is financed
from its Consolidated Rate Fund.

PUBLIC MEDICAL FINANCE, 1957

RECEIPTS EXPENDITURE

Colony Government

$ c. $ C.
Personal Emoluments:—
Licence Fees Ae ws 19,178 00 General o ... 2,087,069 76
Health Branch .-» 1,902,919 59
Health Branch susssannes and Hospitals and Dispensaries... 13,870,995 43
other charges) . wee 293,077 SO
Annually eae Expenditure:—
Medical Stores sales bie 119,135 44 General .-» 1,020,760 72
Health Branch og 930,435 66
Miscellaneous receipts ase 42,393 95 Hospitals and Dispensaries... 7,351,989 17
Hospital Board (Fees, etc.) ... 1,459,684 95 Special Expenditure:—
General eee sig 137,796 91
Balance of cost one by public Health Branch 88,163 78
revenue ... 31,704,375 19 Hospitals and Dispensaries... 737,711 97
Development and Capital
Expenditure... 5,510,002 04
Total (Government) ... 33,637,845 03 33,637,845 03
City Council
Fees from pane and other
receipts — Personal Emoluments:—
General 531,285 00

Infectious Diseases Hospital 576,466 00
Other Public Health Mea

sures pee .. 1,436,356 00
Annually Recurrent Expendi-
ture:—
General 266,899 00
Infectious Diseases Hospital 234, 968 00
Other Public Health Measures 2, 866, 682 00
Special (Non-capital) Expendi-
ture:—
General - 109 00

Infectious Diseases Hospital 24,649 00
Other Public Health Measures 118,052 00
Balance of cost borne by City

Council Consolidated Rate Special Services (Capital) Ex-
Fund ee ... 6,245,980 00 penditure eas ee 190,514 00
Total (City Council) ... 6,245,980 00 Total ... 6,245,980 00

Total (Singapore) ... 39,883,825 03 Total ... 39,883,825 03

HEALTH 155

PREVENTIVE MEDICINE

The progressive trend of past years has been maintained in the
Health Department. The intensive programme of rural sanitation
started in 1954 was continued. Forty-two villages have now been
brought into the scheme, eleven of them in 1957. In every one of
these villages, the programme was started with an intensive house-
to-house health education course. Sanitation of the village wells
and latrines, efficient methods of refuse disposal and drainage and
general sanitation of the houses have been introduced and main-
tained

Health Education

The Health Education Council established in 1956 carried out an
extensive programme of health education work throughout the
island. Weekly radio broadcasts were made on Sundays, while
weekly film shows were held in the rural areas. The Council took
part in a World Health Day Exhibition on ‘Food and Health’,
and also organised another exhibition on ‘Your Health Service’ at
a community centre.

School Medical Service

The school population and the total enrolment for all schools
at the end of 1957 was 260,444 as compared with 235,079 at the
end of 1956. There has been a slow but steady improvement in the
environmental hygiene of school premises—particularly in the rural
schools. Of the 570 Government and Government-aided schools
526 were visited and approximately 35 per cent of the school
population were examined. The attendance of children at the
school clinics showed a 12 per cent overall increase as compared
with the previous year. The part-time B.C.G. team visited the
schools regularly, and 23,529 B.C.G. vaccinations were given
during the year.

Maternal and Child Health Service

This Service was re-organised after a fully qualified and an ex-
perienced officer was placed in charge. During the year, three new
main clinics and three midwife centres were opened. There were
thus in operation at the end of 1957, 19 main clinics, seven
midwife centres and 25 visiting centres in the rural areas. Every
effort was being made to build up the existing domiciliary mid-
wifery service with resident midwives stationed in thickly populated
areas and to provide a full service.

156 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

A drive was carried out during the year to encourage immuni-
sation against diphtheria. A team visited every kampong monthly
and a total of 4,476 children were given the initial dose of P.T.A.P.
and of these 3,578 received the final dose. These were in addition
to the routine clinic immunisations done during the year which
totalled 62,654 injections.

A pilot B.C.G. vaccination experiment was carried out for new-
born babies in the rural areas. The results were very encouraging
and B.C.G. vaccination will be extended to all centres in 1958.

Quarantine Service

Large numbers of passengers, ships crews and air crews pass
through Singapore on account of its unique central geographical
position. Its port health services are an essential bastion against
the assaults of disease from outside.

1955 1956 1957
Ships arriving from infected
or suspected ports See 1,783 1,849 1,519
Sea passengers inspected ... 116,275 95,779 101,182
Aircraft arriving from in- |
fected or suspected ports 1,315 1,647 1,707
Air passengers and crews
inspected... aoe 45,976 71,600 82,166
Passengers quarantined ... 20,537 33,834 24,175

ENDEMIC AND EPIDEMIC DISEASES
Influenza

The pandemic outbreak of influenza reached Singapore at the
beginning of May 1957. Commonly termed ‘Asian ’flu’, it spread
rapidly and had spent itself by the end of May. The number of
cases that occurred in Singapore was estimated to be at least
150,000.

The infection was generally mild and the onset was usually rapid
with fever, headache and backache. The temperature was in mild
cases between 99° and 101°, and in severe cases 103° and 104°
or even above. With treatment the fever usually subsided in two
to four days. This was the clinical course in 74 per cent of the
cases studied. About 13 per cent of cases had one or two relapses
which occurred usually within two weeks. About 7 per cent of
cases developed complications, usually bronchitis.

OurR MOBILE
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HEALTH 157

Tuberculosis

In spite of the efforts of Government and voluntary agencies
tuberculosis still remains one of the major health problems in
Singapore. The Government sought a new method to control and
ultimately eradicate the disease from Singapore. Australia’s assist-
ance under the Colombo Plan was requested. A case-finding pro-
gramme by free mass radiography will be initiated in 1958 to
determine the nature and extent of the disease in Singapore and to
provide a basis for a tuberculosis control programme.

The technical staff was selected during the year and trained in
the various aspects of the work; a Tuberculosis Control Unit was
established in December 1957. Australia agreed to send a team
of experts by the middle of 1958 with the necessary equipment to
initiate the programme in selected areas; after the initial work, it is
expected that the work will be carried on by local personnel
throughout the Island.

Malaria

No case of malaria of indigenous origin was reported during the
year. Although Singapore has enjoyed great freedom from malaria
over the past years, it is only as a result of constant vigilance on
the part of the Health Department; for the country is malarious
and epidemic episodes could occur should there be a breakdown
in the services.

Poliomyelitis

Fifty-two cases of acute anterior poliomyelitis were admitted to
Middleton Hospital during 1957 and, of these, five died. The deaths
occurred amongst Asian children, four under 8 years and one
death in a girl of 11 years.

The following table gives the admissions to hospitals during
1957 for endemic and epidemic diseases:

1955 1956 1957
Tuberculosis (all forms) ba 3,824 3,876 4,203
Typhoid . . sae 114 76 118
Whooping cough f in 5 85 30
Acute Anterior Poliomyelitis... 19 37 52
Measles ... ae ion 200 301 153
Chicken-pox Soc Bes 1,769 1,488 1,039
Rubella ... ee oy — 86 36
Diphtheria ave 460 552 712
Dysentery (all forms) ere 188 215 321

Mumps... es $4 52 14

158 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Public Health

Routine work in environmental sanitation included the inspec-
tion of food premises and all places used for offensive trades,
reports of nuisances, and periodic house inspections and surveil-
lance visits in connection with the control of infectious diseases.

Inspections under the Food and Drugs Ordinance were carried
out regularly during the year. The new Food and Drugs Regula-
tions were published in October 1957. Samples under the Food
and Drugs Ordinance are analysed by the Government Chemistry
Department and by the City Analyst.

Water supply and environmental health services of the Colony
are under the control of the City Council and the Rural Board.

Aedes Control at the International Airport

Singapore is an area vulnerable to yellow fever. Stringent pre-
cautions are therefore taken to keep the area of Airport free from
Aedes egypti. By vigilant and effective measures, the Aedes aegypti
index has since May 1956, been kept at zero around the Airport
covering an area of some 6 square miles. The only Aedes still
found in Aedes albopictus, but its index is now about one.

INSTITUTIONAL FACILITIES

The 1957 census revealed that the population of Singapore,
which was only 938,144 in 1947, had reached 1,474,063, 1.e. an
increase of 57.1 per cent over a period of 10 years and, with the
birth and death rates standing at 42.9 and 7.3 respectively, the
population is still growing rapidly, mainly as a result of the vastly
improved and extended medical services. Medical expansion, how-
ever, has not kept pace with population growth, in spite of every
effort to do so.

The apathy of the population towards western medicine having
almost disappeared, more people demand modern medical tech-
niques, and there has in consequence been a considerable increase
in attendances in all hospitals. To meet this increasing demand
the hospitals in the City area were expanded, several clinics were
established and out-patient services enlarged. In Singapore most
of the patients reach a Government institution without passing
through a private doctor.

HEALTH

MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS,

General Hospital

Maternity Hospital Kandong K bau -
disdine interey coma) ‘i se

Tuberculosis Hospital (Tan Tock Seng) ...
Infectious Diseases Hospital* (Middleton)
Orthopedic Hospital (St. Andrew's)
Leprosy Settlement (Trafalgar Home)
Mental Hospital (Woodbridge)

Venereal Disease Hospital (excluding
infants’ cots) (Middle Road Hespual) es

Prison Hospital ...
Opium Treatment Centre (St. John’s Island)

Police Training School

Voluntary Hospitals

Red Cross Cripples Home
Youngberg Memorial Hospital
Kwong Wai Siu Hospitalt
St. Andrew’s Mission Hospital

Government Out-patient Institutions
(Other than those attached to Hospitals)

Out-door Static Dispensaries
Police die
Travelling Dispensaries (three)
Floating Dispensaries (two) ...
Rural Health Centre

Rural Nurse Midwife Centre
Rural Centres (Non-residential)
School Medical Service

Voluntary Out-patient Institutions
(Other than those attached to Hospitals)

Royal Singapore ar aperculoes Ae
ciation

1,182

316
938
250
120
973

445
35

139

26
14

> » WwW mm

10

13

1937

159

Government and City Council Hospitals Beds Doctors Dentists Nog Admis- Out-

13 687

|
nah NWN

_— 31

sions

Patients

33,607 1,239,281

35,832
2,566
3,662

328

15
2,119
1,428

658

233,669
317,430

11,635

202,798
11,635
78,436

6,585

284,455

102,317

221,855

* The infectious diseases hospital is under the joint control of the Government Medical Depart-

ment and the City Health Department.

{ The Kwong Wai Siu Free Hospital provides both Western and Chinese forms of Medicine.

160 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

General Hospital

The General Hospital remains the only hospital in Singapore for
the treatment of acute medical and surgical conditions. Two major
building projects were started during the year—the construction of
a new block of Sister Quarters and a Physiotherapy Department.

The number of beds in the hospital remained at 1,182. There
were 33,607 in-patients during 1957, as compared with 31,446
during the previous year. The number of out-patients treated
reached the record figure of 1,239,281 for 1957, compared with
881,742 in 1956.

The Blood Transfusion Centre attached to the General Hospital
continued to serve all main hospitals on the Island. The number
of donations increased from 7,987 in 1956 to 9,221 in 1957; the
number of recipients also increased from 7,769 in 1956 to 9,092 in
1957. Amongst the donors there were 2,955 Service personnel who
provided one-third of the total blood required. There was also a
heartening response from locally recruited Servicemen, Police per-
sonnel and civilian donors.

The policy of not paying donors and not charging for trans-
fusions was continued. Friends and relatives of recipients were
asked to become donors and they come forward in increasing
numbers; but as most of such relatives were poor and not well
nourished, the Service continued to rely largely on the altruism
of voluntary donors.

Kandang Kerbau Maternity Hospital

This is the only Government hospital in the Colony which deals
with obstetrical and gynecological patients. Although there are
only 316 beds, 40 of which are reserved for gynecological patients,
the number of hospital births in 1957 averaged 2,300 per month,
i. slightly over eight births per bed per month.

This hospital is also the teaching hospital for obstetrics and
gynecology for the Faculty of Medicine of the University of
Malaya and the training school for midwives and for nurses
for the certificate of the Midwives Board, Singapore. The hospital
also provides full out-patient treatment for ante-natal, post-natal
and gynecological conditions and a separate general out-patient
clinic for women and children.

The number of cases admitted during the year totalled 35,832
of which 30,747 were maternity and 5,085 gynecological cases.
There were 27,765 deliveries, and 233,669 attendances at the out-
patient clinics.

a te i oy

HEALTH 161

The B.C.G. inoculation of newly born babies was started in the
hospital during the year and proved to be a great success.

Tan Tock Seng Tuberculosis Hospital

Two new six-storeyed ward blocks, providing 408 beds, which
were completed in December 1956, were officially opened by the
Minister for Health in January 1957. There are at present 938
beds in the hospital for the treatment of tuberculosis. The proposed
development of this hospital envisages a total of 1,750 beds.

The out-patient department dealt with 5,201 new cases of which
2,405 were proved cases of active tuberculosis. The total number
of attendances during the year, including re-visits, was 317,430
as compared with 312,020 in 1956.

Woodbridge Hospital (Mental Cases)

Woodbridge Hospital situated on the outskirts of the City is the
centre of the Mental Health Service. Four new ward blocks provid-
ing 240 extra beds were completed during the year and have eased
the problem of accommodation. The number of beds in the hospital
increased from 1,800 in 1956 to 2,040. A total of 1,853 new
patients were admitted and 1,540 discharged. Ninety-three patients
died during the year.

The Psychology Division which was started in 1956 continued to
develop during the year in the field of psychological services, re-
search and teaching, and new developments in occupational therapy
were introduced. The Psychiatric Training Nursing School began
work at the hospital in January 1957.

4 psychiatric out-patient clinics holding 6 sessions per week were
opened during the year, and proved extremely popular as out-
patients preferred to be referred to one of these clinics than to
the Woodbridge Hospital.

Trafalgar Home

The Leprosy Service continued to expand along established lines.
Unfortunately due to staff changes during the year the case-finding
programme was temporarily slowed down. The total number of
positive cases, especially in the early positive group, dropped con-
siderably. It is expected, however, that by early 1958 the depart-
ment will have recovered from this temporary set-back.

The rate of discharge of formerly positive cases from the Settle-
ment has continued to improve: 1957 was the first year in which
the number of formerly positive cases discharged, exceeded the new
positive cases admitted.

162 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

The basic bed strength of the Settlement was 973 at the end of
1957 and there were 235 admissions during the year. The out-
patient service continued to grow and over 3,728 contacts attended
the clinic during 1957.

A radiographic and tuberculin survey was carried out on all new
cases, both positive and negative, coming to the out-patient depart-
ment. This showed a high figure of 44 cases out of 486 patients
examined. A further investigation into these 44 cases revealed that
26 of these were suffering from active pulmonary tuberculosis.

Middle Road Hospital (Skin and Venereal Diseases)

The number of V.D. cases reported had been steadily declining
from 10,460 in 1949 to 4,803 in 1956; but during 1957 there
was a Slight increase in all categories of the disease, and 5,452
cases were reported. This increase may be attributable to the
influx of personnel in transit, but more so to the better case-finding
methods and the expansion of the range of the service.

The two travelling dispensaries, one of which was put into opera-
tion in 1957, paid regular visits to the medical units in the rural
areas for diagnosis and treatment and discovery of unsuspected
cases. A total of 8,071 cases were investigated during the year.

The Epidemiological Section was responsible for 12,477 home
visits to contacts and defaulters. Postal contacts also involved writ-
ing of 4,420 letters. During the year 4,280 families with cases of
V.D. were under surveillance; of these 674 came under treatment
for the first time in 1957. The contact success rate has been about
404 per cent.

In the Dermatological Clinic, out of 28,215 new patients seen
5,452 were V.D. cases and 5,538 were suffering from skin ailments.
Since 1950, diagnosis and treatment of dermatological complaints
has been a regular feature of the Social Hygiene Clinic.

Middleton Hospital (Infectious Diseases)

This hospital is the only institution for infectious diseases apart
from the Quarantine Station at St. John’s Island. The hospital
admitted 3,662 cases in 1957, as compared with 3,831 in 1956 and
3,312 cases in 1955. There were no cases of small-pox, cholera or

ue.
ase cases of diphtheria were admitted to the hospital and there
were 58 deaths in 1957, as compared with 552 admissions and
46 deaths in 1956. From September 1957, there was an increase
in the number of diphtheria cases admitted, the peak being reached

HEALTH 163

in November with 107 admissions. 25 cases with definite history of
full diphtheria immunisation were admitted during the year, of
which 11 cases were carriers with positive throat swabs. In the
remaining 14 cases, the attacks were mild.

There were 52 cases of acute anterior poliomyelitis with five
deaths and 118 cases of typhoid fever with two deaths during the
year.

Out-patient Services

This service is responsible for the out-patient clinics throughout
the Island, the travelling dispensaries, Changi and Outram Road
Prisons, the Opium Treatment Centre and the clinics held at the
Police Training School. During the year 2 new out-patient clinics
were Opened. The total attendances at the 15 clinics and dispen-
saries, amounted to 1,062,000, which was an increase of 18 per cent
over figures for 1956.

Opium Treatment Centre

The Opiuin Treatment Centre on St. John’s Island was estab-
lished in 1955. Patients can be either committed to the Centre under
a Court Order or are admitted on a voluntary basis.

Treatment in the withdrawal phase is given in the local Prisons
Hospital and in the rehabilitation phase at the Opium Treatment
Centre on St. John’s Island. After discharge from the Centre there
is a follow-up clinic at the General Hospital which constitutes the
third phase. Five hundred and eighty-eight persons were remanded
in 1957 under the Dangerous Drugs (Temporary Provisions) Ordin-
ance, 1954. Only about 60 per cent of persons who are remanded
were admitted for treatment at the Opium Treatment Centre.

Dental Service

The Dental Service expanded yet further during 1957. The in-
creased attendances at all the clinics brought the total beyond
55,000. A third mobile dental clinic was put into operation towards
the latter part of the year.

In the field of preventive dentistry, the major achievement was
the fluoridation of the entire municipal water supply of Singapore,
in co-operation with the City Council. This should considerably
reduce dental caries among young children during the next five
years.

To test the fluoridation scheme, the third annual dental survey
of 3,000 school children was carried out in Singapore and Malacca
early in 1957.

164 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

New Hospitals and Clinics

Plans for the construction of the District Hospital in the Bedok
area were well advanced.

The foundation stone of the new 396-bed hospital for the chronic
sick was laid by the Minister for Health on 3rd June, 1957.

Three new Maternal and Child Health Clinics were planned for
construction in 1958.

Voluntary and Charitable Institutions

St. Andrew’s Mission Hospital. This children’s hospital with
55 beds during the year admitted a total of 658 patients. There
were 47,252 out-patients.

Kwong Wai Siu Free Hospital (Chinese). This hospital of 448
beds admitted 1,397 patients during the year. There were 30,405
out-patient attendances during 1957.

The Royal Singapore Tuberculosis Clinic. X-ray examinations
totalled 99,214 as against 93,802 the previous year. The daily aver-
age attendance was 818 as against 775 in 1956.

As in the past, close liaison existed between the clinic of this
voluntary organisation and Government medical officers, and dur-
ing the year 256 patients were accepted by the General Hospital
for major thoracic surgery.

Government Medical Store

The supply of drugs, pharmaceuticals, surgical dressings, instru-
ments, ward equipment, to all hospitals, dispensaries and clinics
increased by about 25 per cent to approximately $2.9 million during
1957. Of this total, $2 million represented the cost of drugs, and the
balance, the cost of equipment, dressings and sundries. The organi-
sation for the central importation and distribution of these supplies
operated smoothly. The pharmaceutical laboratories again in-
creased its overall production.

A new boiler house and increased steam capacity was added to
oe bia aig primarily to meet the rising demands for sterile

anstusion fluids which are n
Saga as e now packed at the rate of 300-400

RESEARCH
A programme of research over a very wide field, including

aspects of thoracic surgery, abnormal hemoglobin and d
: ust hazar
in local Industries, is iN progress. '

HEALTH 165

VITAL STATISTICS
POPULATION, BIRTHS AND DEATHS 1957

Population Live Births Crude Birth Rate Deaths Crude Death Rate
1,474,063 62,685 42.9 10,710 7.3

MATERNAL MORTALITY
(The rate is the number of mothers’ deaths per 1,000 live births)

1947 1955 1956 1957
Maternal Maternal Maternal Maternal Maternal Maternal Maternal Maternal
deaths mortality deaths mortality deaths mortality deaths mortality
regd. rate regd. rate regd. rate regd. rate

Allraces ... 125 2.9 32 0.9 45 0.7 55 0.9

STILL BIRTHS

1947 1955 1956 1957
Number Rate Number Rate Number Rate Number Rate
All races ... 671 15.3 904 15.4 909 14.7 970 15.2

INFANT MORTALITY
(The rate is the number of deaths under 1 year of age per 1,000 live births)

1947 1955 1956 1957

Infant Infant Infant Infant Infant Infant Infant Infant
deaths mortality deaths mortality deaths mortality deaths mortality

regd. rate regd. rate regd. rate regd. rate
Chinese .. 2,671 79.43 1,731 40.36 1,529 33.97 1,520 32.85
Malaysians ... 784 143.25 873 104.61 853 95.46 805 86.40
Indians and
Pakistanis ... 236 76.45 196 44.15 160 34.27 200 39.84
Europeans... 18 57.69 18 17.42 17 16.41 20 17.54
Eurasians..... 28 77.99 12 33.24 9 24.86 10 27.77
Others ae: 21 113.51 34 57.72 18 29.95 22 37.61

Total ... 3,758 87.33 2,864 49.67 2.586 42.66 2.577 41.11

166 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

CAUSES OF DEATH

1947 1955
Deaths Death Deaths Death
regd. rate regd. rate
Malaria and unspeciied
fever... 1,207 1.274 201 .166
Violence (all forms)... 873 -605 516 .426
Beri Beri ... ate 398 .420 93 .077
Senility... 955 1.008 876 724
Pulmonary Tuberculosis 1,468 1.550 827 .683
Heart diseases Pre 403 .425 729 .602
Diseases of the cireule:
tory system 112 118 167 .138
Diseases of pregnancy,
childbirth and the
puerperal state oa 125 .132 52 .043
Premature births and
diseases of carly
infancy ... ats 853 .900 863 713
Convulsions oo =: S19 1.603 759 -627
Diseases of the kre
tory system u
tuberculosis and
influenza ... 1,878 2.012 1,364 1.127
Typhoid, Dysentery
arrhoca an
Enteritis... oe 954 1.007 828 -684
Other diseases of the
digestive system _..... 253 .267 394 325
Tuberculosis other than
respiratory system ... 167 176 162 134
Diseases of the genito-
urinary system aes 277 292 323 .267
Diseases of the nervous
system ... 263 278 633 .523
Influenza and acute
Rheumatism ee 208 .220 25 .021
Cancer... ens 306 323 682 563
Others ae ne 592 .625 1,079 891

Total ... 12,511 13.235 10,573 8.734

1956

Deaths Death

regd.

$57

1,351

710
365
11
294
688

41
728
1,171

10,238

rate

229
384
.078
743
533

149

497

808
1,086

10,710

.038

.055

751

7.407

XI

Welfare Services

HE WELFARE needs of the people of Singapore are met by
the combined efforts of Government, and of voluntary welfare
organisations, which have had a long and distinguished history of
social service, and which by their nature make their own special
contributions to welfare services; for, as has been pointed out by
H. A. Mess in Voluntary Social Services since 1918, ‘where flexi-
bility, experiment, supplementation or an exceptional degree of
self-devotion are necessary’, the voluntary society enjoys consider-
able advantages over State endeavour in the realm of social
welfare. For its part, the Department of Social Welfare keeps the
whole field of social services under review, co-operating closely
with voluntary agencies and providing necessary welfare services
in those fields of social work which are not already covered, or
which are only partially covered by other Government Depart-
ments and by private agencies. The important work of liaison
between the Department of Social Welfare on the one hand and
the various Government departments and voluntary agencies on
the other is undertaken by a section of the Department of Social
Welfare. A charitable appeals calendar, maintained by this section,
ensures that flag days and appeals to members of the public for
donations are adequately spaced and do not overlap.
~The Department of Social Welfare is responsible for the pro-
vision of immediate accommodation, food, clothing and financial
assistance to the victims of natural disasters such as fires and
floods. In 1957 the Department was called into action on this
account 29 times and assisted 844 persons rendered homeless and
destitute as a result of such calamities. In collaboration with the
Singapore Joint Relief Organisation and the Blue Cross Society,
the Department succeeded in meeting the victims’ urgent needs,
while the Singapore Improvement Trust co-operated by providing
the homeless with high priority in regard to accommodation.

168 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

SOCIAL RESEARCH

During 1957, the Social Research Section was engaged on a pilot
survey of farmers in selected rural areas in preparation for the
proposed full scale Rural Survey of Singapore, which will be
complementary to the Survey on Urban Incomes and Housing
published in December 1956. The first stage of the pilot survey,
the main object of which was to test research techniques and inter-
view procedures, was carried out during the second half of the
year under the direction of a Working Party of the Social and
Economic Research Committee of Singapore, which has among
its members representatives from the Agricultural, Veterinary and
Fisheries Divisions of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the
Department of Social Welfare and the Rural Board.

The Social Research Section also conducted studies on trishaw
riders for the Ministry of Communications and Works and on the
extent of unemployment among past and present contributors to
the Central Provident Fund for the Economic Adviser to the Chief
Minister. The Section assisted in the Singapore Census of Popula-
tion and the Survey of Youth Leisure Needs conducted by the
Singapore Youth Council.

SOCIAL SECURITY

Preparations were completed at the end of the year for the
appointment of a Committee of Officials to examine and correlate
the recommendations contained in the two following Reports:

(a) that of Mr. G. J. Brocklehurst, an International Labour
Office expert, on social security measures for Singa-
pore; and

(b) that of the Minimum Standards of Livelihood Com-
mittee, which sat under the Chairmanship of Sir Sydney
Caine, and made recommendations concerning mini-
mum wages and social security.

The Committee of Officials is required under its terms of reference
to submit a White Paper on completion of its deliberations.

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

The Public Assistance Section of the Department of Social Wel-
fare administers the Public Assistance and Tuberculosis Treat-
ment Allowance Schemes, which are financed from public funds.

WELFARE SERVICES 169

Public Assistance Scheme

This scheme provides financial assistance to the following
classes of necessitous persons, subject to a means test and a
residential qualification of one year:

(i) the aged (men and women not less than 65 and 60 years of age
respectively):

(ii) the sick;

(iii) widows and orphans;

(iv) the permanently and temporarily disabled; and

(v) the unemployed.

Allowances under this scheme are paid at the following rates:

Per month
$
Head of household ae hs 15
Wife /Husband or other a —
16 years or over
Dependant under 16 years of age us 5

In addition, persons drawing Public Assistance allowances may,
if unable to work for a period of more than one month due to
illness, be granted Sickness Allowances on the recommendation of
a medical officer.

Tuberculosis Treatment Allowance Scheme

This scheme is designed to assist patients suffering from tuber-
culosis whose chances of recovery and eventual return to employ-
ment are favourable. Patients are recommended for allowances
under this scheme by the medical authorities of all Government
hospitals, the Royal Singapore Tuberculosis Clinic, the Royal
Naval Asian Hospital and the St. Andrew’s Mission Hospital.
Payments are made on condition that the patients co-operate fully
in the matter of treatment and rest.

The monthly rates of allowances paid in 1957 under this scheme
are as follows:

T.B.T.A.
$ oc.
Head of household—

(i) out-patient i a ses 49 50
(ii) in-patient a uae 16 50
Wife or first adult dependant relative bas 27 50

Each additional ad aged 16 years and
over = 16 50

Each desetdant under the age of 16 years ... 13 20

170 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Persons drawing Tuberculosis Treatment allowances may be
granted additional allowances to cover rent, domestic help and
insurance premia.

As shown in the table below, the average number of Public
Assistance and Tuberculosis Treatment Allowance cases assisted
each month has increased steadily since 1952 with a correspond-
ing increase in expenditure:

Average Average No.

No. of Expenditure of families Expenditure

families $ receiving $

receiving P.A. T.B.T.A

1952 ude 4,162 913,104 984 890,887
1953 ee 6,835 2,423,503 1,253 1,239,990
1954 eas 9,943 3,595,311 1,461 1,454,396
1955 ee 12,960 4,799,584 1,693 1,712,196
1956 a 14,895 5,576,801 1,969 1,991,091
1957 ht 16,590 6,229,655 2,094 2,121,004

The Department of Social Welfare is also responsible for the
day-to-day administration of two charitable trusts, the Silver
J ubilee Fund and the Malaya War Distress (Singapore) Fund.

Silver Jubilee Fund

This trust was established under the Silver Jubilee Fund (Singa-
pore) Ordinance, partly from public subscriptions and partly from
grants made by the Government of the Straits Settlements and by
the Municipal Commissioners of Singapore. The income from
capital investments amounting to approximately $120,000 a year
is spent on the ‘relief of distress in Singapore’. Disbursements are
made mainly as supplementary allowances to payments made
under the Public Assistance Scheme and include payments in
respect of old age, convalescence, confinement and for special diets.
Grants are also made to meet the cost of funeral expenses. of
persons who have been in receipt of Public Assistance or the
dependants of such persons. Disbursements totalling $123,996.75
were made in 1957.

Malaya War Distress (Singapore) Fund

During the year, $14,405.40 was disbursed with the concurrence
of the Trustees of the Fund in the form of educational allowances
and rehabilitation grants to 76 families pctinding in need by reason
of the war in Malaya. |

WELFARE SERVICES 171

COUNSELLING AND ADVICE SERVICE

The Counselling Service is primarily concerned with the resolu-
tion of disputes in the field of domestic relations. Securing main-
tenance for wives and children, both legitimate and illegitimate, by
mutual agreement between the parties is another aspect of the
section’s work, in which it acts as a clearing house for mainten-
ance payments between the giver and the recipient where both
parties prefer this course to proceedings in Court. In addition to
providing a general enquiry service, the section is also responsible
for the issue of Presumption of Death Certificates in respect of
persons missing as a result of enemy action in Singapore during
the last war.

Since July 1952, the Department of Social Welfare has provided
a legal advice service for the benefit of persons whose monthly
incomes do not exceed $300, such assistance, however, not extend-
ing to representation in Court. Those Parts of the Legal Aid and
Advice Ordinance, 1956, which make provision for legal aid in
both criminal cases and in civil actions as well as for legal advice,
were not in force by the end of 1957. When these Parts of the
Ordinance are in force, the legal advice service provided by the
Department will form part of the functions of the Legal Aid
Bureau.

HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS

Homes and institutions are run either by the Department of
Social Welfare or by voluntary agencies: they may be statutory
or non-statutory.

Statutory Homes operated by the Department

Gimson School for Boys.—This is an approved school under
the Children and Young Persons Ordinance for boys between the
ages of ten and sixteen years, all of whom are admitted on Court
orders made principally by the Juvenile Court. During 1957, 56
boys were admitted to the School, the average population for the
year being 133 boys. Twenty-five boys were discharged and
placed in employment, having completed their respective periods
of training, whilst sixteen boys were placed on Parole Licence and
in employment in the trades taught them whilst in the School.
Vocational training carried on in the School included carpentry,
rattancraft, tailoring, mechanics, building, cooking, bread baking,
vegetable gardening and animal husbandry.

172 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Perak House.—An approved home and place of safety under
the Children and Young Persons Ordinance for orphaned and
destitute boys between the ages of seven and fourteen years, Perak
House maintained an average population of 85 boys during the
year, of whom 65 attended Government English schools. Various
handicraft classes were regularly conducted by voluntary workers
during out-of-school periods and the Scout Troop, Cub Pack, Boys’
Brigade Company and Life Boy Team flourished, mainly as a
result of the excellent leadership of voluntary workers running
these separate units.

Girls’ Homecraft Centre-—An approved home and place of
safety under the Children and Young Persons Ordinance, the
Homecraft Centre has accommodation for 150 girls between the
ages of seven and nineteen years, and a Nursery with accommoda-
tion for 50 babies and children up to the age of seven years.
Admission of the girls is on the grounds of moral danger, destitu-
tion and ill-treatment, and in cases where the girl is considered
beyond parental control. During 1957, 110 such girls and children
were admitted to the Home and 114 were discharged either to take
up employment or to the care of relatives or guardians.

Vocational training is provided for the senior girls in dress-
making, cooking, cake making, embroidery work and child care,
as well as a general course in household duties. Forty-two girls
attended Government English schools during the year.

Girls’ Home, Mount Emily.—Established as a place of safety
and as an approved school under two separate Ordinances, Mount
Emily Home was filled to capacity during the year. Twenty-three
girls between the ages of fifteen and eighteen years in moral danger
were admitted during 1957 and twenty-four residents left to take
up employment following the completion of their respective train-
ing courses.

In December 1957 work was started on a new Reception Wing
which will accommodate eight girls.

New Market Road Children’s Home.—This Home accom-
modates thirty-five mentally deficient children, some of whom are
spastics, and none of whom is fully educable. The older and
reasonably mobile children are taught to assist in simple household
duties. Two children were admitted during 1957, although appli-
cations for admission far exceed this number. Specialists visiting
the Home have commented favourably on the work done for these
children.

WELFARE SERVICES 173

Non-statutory Homes operated by the Department

Old People’s Home.—The Nantina and Bushey Park Homes
provide accommodation for the aged, the unemployed who through
destitution and infirmity are no longer able to care for themselves,
the victims of fires and other disasters, and persons awaiting re-
patriation. During the year about 200 persons were accommodated
in these Homes. Considerable improvements were effected to
Bushey Park Home by the Public Works Department in 1957.

Boys’ Hostels——The two hostels at Queen Street and Prince
Edward Road provide accommodation for about 60 boys between
the ages of fourteen and eighteen years who are placed there as
a condition of probation or if in need of aftercare on discharge
from institutions, while boys requiring supervision or accommo-
dation are also admitted. A new Hostels Advisory Committee
comprising twelve members was appointed in October 1957 by
the Minister for Labour and Welfare, for a two-year period.

HOMES OPERATED BY PRIVATE AGENCIES

Voluntary organisations administer more than half the homes
and institutions in Singapore. Within the compass of this report,
it would not be possible adequately to describe every such home
or institution, but brief mention will here be made of some of
the principal ones.

The Roman Catholic organisations are particularly active in the
field of providing institutional accommodation for young orphans,
for girls in need of care and protection, and for a number of
handicapped children. Examples of such institutions are the Mary-
mount Vocational School for women and girls in moral danger
and the St. Anthony’s Convent, the Canossa Convent and the Con-
vent of the Holy Infant Jesus for orphaned and destitute babies
and girls under the age of eighteen years. Boys’ Town is the largest
and best equipped boys’ home in Singapore. An old people’s home
run by the Little Sisters of the Poor provides accommodation for
about 300 inmates.

The Salvation Army provides orphanages for girls and homes for
unmarried mothers, a residential creche for children who have been
abandoned by or who have lost their parents, and an approved
home for boys. The Children’s Aid Society, founded in 1902,
maintains a home for orphaned children of mixed parentage, while
the Singapore Children’s Society runs a Children’s Convalescent

174 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Home at Tanah Merah Besar accommodating 24 children. The
Oversea-Chinese Creche which has accommodation for 50 children
caters primarily for abandoned and destitute babies of all races,
while the Ramakrishna Mission Home provides accommodation
and vocational training mainly for Indian and Ceylonese boys.

Voluntary welfare organisations have pioneered work for handi-
capped children. The Singapore Association for the Blind, for
example, runs a school for blind children, while the Singapore
Association for the Deaf and Dumb has accepted responsibility
for the Singapore School for the Deaf. The Singapore Branch of
the British Red Cross Society cares for crippled children in its
home at Tanah Merah Besar.

In October 1956, Group Captain Cheshire, v.c. arrived in Singa-
pore to investigate the possibilities of opening a Cheshire Home
for the incurably sick and homeless, similar to the homes already
founded in England and India. By the end of the year, one ward
had been completed at Telok Paku and three patients were admitted
to the Home in December.

YOUTH WELFARE

_ By the end of 1957 there were 15 boys’ clubs, 6 girls’ clubs and
21 youth clubs, making a total of 42 clubs in all for the young
people of Singapore. This represents an increase of six clubs
during the year. |

To encourage joint participation in youth activities by both
English and non-English educated youths, the Singapore Youth
Council made special efforts to bring more non-English-speaking
youth groups as affiliates to the Council. An encouraging start was
made as one major Chinese-speaking youth organisation and four
Malay youth groups joined the Council. The Council also
organised the first Malay-speaking Youth Training Course which
was Officially opened by the Honourable Mr. Lim Yew Hock,
Chief Minister of Singapore, in November 1957. In the same
month the Federation of Boys’ Clubs sponsored for the first time
a Chinese Club Leadership Training Course. So great was the
response, there being nearly 200 applicants, that perforce stringent
tests had to be applied in the final selection of the 65 applicants
who were accepted.

The Federation of Boys’ Clubs’ Activity Instructors Scheme was
put into full operation this year. The object of the scheme is to
attract voluntary instructors qualified in various skills with a view

ae

YOUTH WELFARE

Top—A sewing circle.
Below—Table tennis tournament at a youth club.

re
mate

ARRAS LAST

pc aD RS ROSCOE EO SLEDS ORO =

anid

WA Nvcing

AIS

WELFARE SERVICES 175

to their instructing club members. By the end of the year the Fede-
ration had on its books about 100 instructors for physical recreation
and vocational and cultural activities.

The Department of Social Welfare continued to assist youth
organisations by grants-in-aid to Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and the
Singapore Youth Council and by the payment of allowances to
Club Leaders and honoraria to Activity Instructors.

The three established youth holiday camps, namely the Tanah
Merah Camp administered by the Singapore Youth Council, the
Jurong Scout Camp run by the Scouts Association, and the Lim
Chu Kang Camp run by the Federation of Boys’ Clubs, served about
8,000 young persons during the year. The Department acquired at
Pulau Ubin a large camp site which, when developed, is expected
to cater for a large number of young people who will be able to
spend their holidays and weekends in ideal surroundings on the
island.

Following the coming into operation of the Singapore Youth
Sports Centre Incorporation Ordinance in December 1956, a Board
of Management was formed and commenced its work at the begin-
ning of 1957. The Centre is housed in the very commodious former
Kallang Airport terminal building which has spacious grounds
adjoining it for outdoor activities. The object of the Centre, which
has about 15,500 members, is to enable the young people of every
race and creed to meet for sport and friendship.

YOUTH ORGANISATIONS

_ The following list shows the strength of the various Youth
Organisations in Singapore at the end of 1957:

Boys

1. Boy Scouts ao Sas — 5,600
2. Cadets... = at 1,000
3. Sea Cadets i oe: Gag 400
4. Malayan Air ieining Corps ... Se, 400
5. St. John Ambulance Brigade Cadets me 400
6. Boys’ Lifc Brigade ... 800

7. Junior Red Cross Links Sad: ‘Red Gua
Cadets 800
8. Animal Lovers’ ne oe Ba 600

Total ... 10,000

176 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Girls
1. Girl Guides and Rangers ae a 2,000
2. St. John Ambulance Nursing Cadets... 200
3. Girls’ Life Brigade ... ties ae 400
4. Junior Red Cross Links i se 400
5. Animal Lovers’ League re gu 500

Total... 3,500

COMMUNITY CENTRES, CHILDREN’S SOCIAL CENTRES
AND CRECHES

The Department of Social Welfare manages eight community
centres. The Keppel Harbour Community Centre, which is the
newest and most comprehensively planned, was declared open by
the Chief Minister, the Hon’ble Mr. Lim Yew Hock, in September.
In March, with the co-operation of the Singapore Improvement
Trust, the Department established a community centre at Princess
House, Queenstown. The Trust also made it possible for the
Department to take over and re-convert four air raid shelters in
Tiong Bahru Estate, thus re-establishing the Tiong Bahru Com-
munity Centre. There are eleven community centres in the various
estates of the Singapore Improvement Trust.

Community Centres are administered either by advisory com-
mittees, management committees or by community associations.
An outstanding example of effective work that can be performed
by an advisory committee is that of the Yio Chu Kang Village
Community Centre. The Queenstown Community Association
and Geylang Community Association which were formed this year
are autonomous bodies which manage their own affairs.

The community centres in the rural areas are under the charge
of the Rural Board which is justifiably proud of the fact that its
centre at Buona Vista is the finest building for community activ-
ities in Singapore. The Rural Board has also a centre at Bukit
Panjang and a village hall at Ayer Gemuroh. The Rural Board
community centre at Changi was nearing completion at the end
of 1957. As in previous years, the Social Welfare Department
continued to provide staff for Rural Board community centres, the
Department being represented on the management committees
appointed by the Rural Board.

At the end of the year there were twenty-one children’s social
centres, two being entirely in the hands of voluntary workers and

WELFARE SERVICES 177

the remaining being staffed by officers of the Social Welfare
Department, ably and indispensably assisted by voluntary helpers.
The average number of children attending the centres on any one
day was 2,400.

The Department has two creches at Victoria Street and Have-.
lock Road which daily serve an average of 140 children betweem
the ages of one month and six years. Every child is given a snack
and a main cooked meal for a daily charge of ten cents. These
creches are a boon to working mothers who have nowhere to
place their children during the hours they are in employment.

CARE AND PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS

One of the responsibilities of the Department of Social Welfare:
is the administration of the Women and Girls Protection Ordin--
ance, the objects of which are the suppression of brothels, the
prevention of trafficking and the care and protection of women and.
girls. Offences specified in the Ordinance include obtaining posses-
sion of a woman or girl for the purpose of prostitution, living om
the earnings of a prostitute and running a brothel or assisting
its management. The Ordinance also provides that if the Protector
is of the opinion that any girl under the age of eighteen is being
trained or used for immoral purposes, he may detain her in a
place of safety after an inquiry. He is also empowered to make
an order for such detention at the written request of her lawful
guardian, or if he considers that she needs protection and her:
lawful guardian cannot be found. Women and girls may of their
own accord ask the Protector for shelter in a place of safety.

During the year four persons were charged with offences under
the Ordinance, of whom two were convicted and two acquitted.
Eighty-two raids were carried out on places suspected of being
brothels and fifteen girls found in such places were removed by
the Protector and detained in a place of safety; fifteen other girls.
who were found to be in moral danger were also put in a place:
of safety.

CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND
YOUNG PERSONS

A section of the Department is responsible for the administra--
tion of the Children and Young Persons Ordinance and is con--
cerned mainly with children needing care and protection through:
ill-treatment, neglect or destitution. A considerable part of the:

178 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

work of this section involves the registration and supervision of
‘transferred children’, a transferred child, by definition under the
Ordinance, being a child under the age of fourteen who is living
apart from his natural father or mother (with certain specified
exceptions). In 1957, 995 transferred children were registered
under the provisions of the Ordinance as compared to 895 regis-
tered in the previous year. The section also provides reports to
the Attorney-General in his capacity as guardian ad litem in
adoption proceedings in court under the Adoption of Children
Ordinance; 187 such reports were provided in 1957 as against 154
in 1956.

Under a Boarding-out Scheme, children requiring a mother’s
care are placed in suitable foster homes rather than in large
institutions. In 1957, thirty-five such children were boarded out.

THE PROBATION SERVICE

The functions of the Probation Service, which is administered
by the Department of Social Welfare, are outlined in the chapter
entitled ‘Law and Order’.

XI

Legislation

HE HEAD of the Legal Department in Singapore is the
Attorney-General who is an official Minister. He is the Public
Prosecutor and the adviser to Government on legal matters and
has under him a Solicitor-General, who is also the Permanent
Secretary of the Ministry, a Senior Crown Counsel and eight Crown
Counsel and Deputy Public Prosecutors together with an Official
Assignee and Public Trustee and two Assistant Official Assignees
and Public Trustees, an Accountant and subordinate staff.
The enacted laws of the Colony fall into two parts: the principal
legislation known as Ordinances and the subsidiary legislation
made under them, known as rules, regulations or by-laws.

The Revised Edition of the Laws of the Colony, 1955, in eight
volumes was completed in early 1956 and brought into force on
Ist July, 1956.

Forty-seven Ordinances were enacted during 1957. Of these one
was a Final Supply Ordinance, one an Appropriation Ordinance
and one an Indemnity and Validating Ordinance. Twenty-six were
amending Ordinances, eight were amending and consolidating
Ordinances and ten were new Ordinances.

The Singapore Industrial Promotion Board Ordinance, 1957
(Ord. 4/57)

This Ordinance provided for the establishment of a Singapore
Industrial Promotion Board charged with the duties of stimulating
and facilitating the industrial and economic development of the
Colony. The objects of the Singapore Industrial Promotion Board
are to assist in the financing and establishment of—

(a) new industrial undertakings;

(b) schemes for the better organisation and modernisation
and the more efficient carrying out of any industrial
undertaking: and

180 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

(c) the conduct of research into the industrial potentialities of
the Colony.

‘The Light Dues Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 6/57)

This Ordinance provided for the imposition and collection of
light dues, which are to be paid into a Light Dues Fund to be
administered and expended on the maintenance and improvement
of navigational aids to shipping.

The Census (Amendment) Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 7 | 57)

This Ordinance amended the Census Ordinance (Chapter 200 of
‘the Revised Edition) to provide in detail for the particulars which
may be required to be stated in the census returns and to enable
the fullest use to be made of the census data collected. It also
provided that reports on the census return shall be prepared and
‘presented to the Legislative Assembly.

The Civil Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 8/57)

This Ordinance extended the period within which claims may
‘be made for the benefit of dependants of a deceased person from
one year to three years. It also extended the period within which
an executor or administrator of a deceased person may bring
an action for the benefit of a deceased before the dependants them-
‘selves may bring an action from six months to twelve months.

The Seamen’s Registry Board Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 11/57)

This Ordinance constituted a Seamen’s Registry Board which
was given power to regulate the registration, engagement and selec-
tion for engagement of seamen.

The Pawnbrokers (Amendment) Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 12] 57)

This Ordinance amended the Pawnbrokers Ordinance (Chapter
195 of the Revised Edition) to abolish the system of tendering for
‘pawnbroker’s licences and to replace it by a system of licensing.
“The maximum rate of interest chargeable on loans by pawnbrokers
‘was fixed at 2 per cent per mensem on the amount of the loan.

The Shop Assistants Employment Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 13/57)

This Ordinance was designed to regulate the conditions of em-
‘ployment of shop assistants, that is persons employed in shops
“carrying on a retail trade or business otherwise than in an office
or clerical department or in a position of management and gave
them benefits similar to those already enjoyed by workmen under
the provisions of the Labour Ordinance, 1955 (No. 40 of 1955).

HO

WOTLARS

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OR ORRIN ene

TEN: THOS VS

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Top—Singapore Supreme Court.
Below—Legal tender.

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HOdeSUIS O} SIA Joliq sy SulMp ‘LC6] ‘YIO s9qQuIa}dag UO Ieg oy} pue yousg sy} ‘NOD YsIH e*OodeBuUIS
dy} JO sadpny jouw “O'A'O'D “'d “YDIOID JO JINWITY JUNODSIA ‘WOH ‘}y 9Y} ‘UleyLIg }eoIH Jo JO[[I0UReYD YsIH pJOT F4L

LEGISLATION 181

The Clerks Employment Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 14/57)

This Ordinance was designed to regulate the conditions of em-
ployment of clerks working in offices and of industrial clerks, that
is, persons employed in clerical work complementary to, or super-
visory of the work of workmen, and gave them benefits similar to
those already enjoyed by workmen under the provisions of the
Labour Ordinance, 1955 (No. 40 of 1955).

The Pineapple Industry Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 15/57)

This Ordinance repealed and re-enacted with amendments the
law relating to the pineapple industry contained in the Pineapple
Industry Ordinance (Chapter 180 of the Revised Edition). It
established the Malayan Pineapple Industry Board which consists
of members drawn from the Federation of Malaya and from the
Colony, and which, in addition to taking over the advisory
functions of the former Pineapple Joint Industrial Council, is
empowered to regulate the production, grading and marketing of
pineapple and to conduct research into the cultivation and process-
ing of pineapple and its by-products. Parallel legislation has been
enacted in the Federation of Malaya.

The Central Provident Fund (Amendment) Ordinance, 1957
(Ord. 16/57)

This Ordinance amended the Central Provident Fund Ordinance
(Chapter 150 of the Revised Edition) and inter alia enabled
mariners who are permanently resident in the Colony to become
members of the Central Provident Fund. It also clarified the
liability of employers to contribute to the Central Provident Fund
by providing that the employer is liable to contribute in the first
instance and that in the case of certain employees he may make
deductions in order to pay a part of the contributions. Contribu-
tions to the Central Provident Fund are made payable in respect
of an employee if he has been in employment for not less than
one month instead of three months as formerly.

The Road Traffic (Amendment) Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 17/57)

This Ordinance amended the Road Traffic Ordinance (Chapter
227 of the Revised Edition) to enable more effective action to be
taken against persons who use private motor vehicles for the
carriage of passengers for hire or reward, when the vehicles have
not been licensed for that purpose.

182 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

The Divorce (Amendment) Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 21/57)

This Ordinance amended the Divorce Ordinance (Chapter 40 of
the Revised Edition) to enable a party to a marriage to present a
petition for the dissolution of his or her marriage on the ground that
the husband or wife, as the case may be, is incurably of unsound
mind and has been continuously under care and treatment for a
period of at least five years immediately preceding the presentation
of the petition, even though the husband or wife, as the case may
be, is under such care and treatment elsewhere than in the Colony,
provided it is proved that he or she is receiving care and treatment
according to standards which are substantially the same as those
obtaining in respect of the care and treatment of patients suffering
from mental illness in the Colony. This amendment accords with
a recommendation made by the Royal Commission on Marriage
and Divorce appointed in the United Kingdom. The Ordinance
also provides expressly that in the first instance a decree of dis-
solution of marriage shall be a decree nisi.

The Local Government Elections Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 23/57)

This Ordinance which repealed the Municipal Elections Ordin-
ance, 1948 (No. 26 of 1948) made provisions for local govern-
ment elections to elect councillors for the City Council and the
District Councils. It laid down the qualifications for electors and
made provision for the preparation and revision of electoral
registers.

The Local Government Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 24/57)

This Ordinance made provision for the local government of
Singapore to be administered by a City Council and by District
Councils. Instead of the former City Council and Rural Board
the Ordinance provided for a City Council and District Councils
which will together be responsible for the local government
administration of the island of Singapore and the smaller islands
to the North and East of it, which are included in the Colony of
Singapore. It provided that the City Council is to be a wholly
elected Council comprising thirty-two Councillors including a
Mayor to be chosen by the councillors from among themselves.
Each of the District Councils will be presided over by an official
Chairman and will comprise twelve elected councillors and (for the
first four years from the date of the first ordinary elections) also
three nominated councillors. The councillors must be able to speak
Mandarin (or, in the case of District Councils, any Chinese dialect)

LEGISLATION 183

or Malay or Tamil or English, and unless incapacitated by blindness
or other physical cause, to read and write one or other of those
languages; and in the case of elected councillors, they must possess
residential qualification in the area of the local authority in which
they seek election. The Ordinance repealed the Municipal Ordin-
ance but the section which expressly so repeals the Municipal
Ordinance has not yet been brought into force.

The Muslims Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 25/57)

This Ordinance which had not, at the end of 1957, been brought
into force repealed and re-enacted with amendments the Muslims
Ordinance (Chapter 46 of the Revised Edition). It constituted a
Shariah Court to be presided over by a Muslim Registrar of
Muslim Marriages or such other male Muslim as the Governor
may appoint which is to hear all disputed cases of marriage and
divorce and to hear appeals from the decisions of kathis relating
to the registration of marriages. It also constituted an Appeals
Board to hear appeals from the Shariah Court. The Ordinance also
conferred on the Court of the Colony power to vary the will of
a deceased Muslim testator dying domiciled in the Colony, on the
application of any person entitled under the law of Islam to a
share in or to take the residue or any part of the residue of the estate
of the testator, if the will does not make provision or sufficient
provision for that person in accordance with the school of the law
of Islam to which the testator belonged at the time of his death.

The Singapore Military Forces (Amendment) Ordinance, 1957
(Ord. 26/57); The Malayan Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
(Amendment) Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 27/57); The Malayan
Auxiliary Air Force (Amendnent) Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 28/57)

The amendments made by these Ordinances enabled members of
the Singapore Military Forces, the Malayan Royal Naval Volunteer
Reserve and the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force respectively to be
called out to perform internal security duties.

The Raffles Museum Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 30/57)

This Ordinance which repealed the provisions of the Raffles
Societies Ordinance (Chapter 312 of the Revised Edition) which
related to the Raffles Museum, provided for the management and
control of the Raffles Museum. It constituted an Arts Committee
to advise and assist the Director of the Raffles Museum in the
acquisition and exhibition of evlects illustrating the art of all
nations.

184 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

The Raffles National Library Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 31 | 57)

This Ordinance repealed the provisions of the Raffles Societies
Ordinance (Chapter 312 of the Revised Edition) which related to
the Raffles Library and constituted a Raffles National Library. It
provided for the management and control of the library and con-
stituted a Raffles National Library Board to advise the Minister
on the operation of the Library. The Ordinance also provided that
no charges shall be made for the use of any literary material in the
Raffles National Library.

The Botanic Gardens Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 32/57)

This Ordinance which repealed the provisions of the Raffles
Societies Ordinance (Chapter 312 of the Revised Edition) which
related to the Botanical Gardens, provided for the management and
control of the Gardens which is now called by its internationally
known name, the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

The Singapore Citizenship Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 35/57)

This Ordinance provided for a citizenship of Singapore which
may be acquired by birth, descent, registration or naturalization.
The Ordinance followed the pattern of the British Nationality Act,
1948 and contained detailed provisions relating to the acquisition
and loss of citizenship. Certain provisions of the Ordinance, namely,
those relating to the acquisition of citizenship by naturalization and
to the grant of a certificate of citizenship in cases of doubt have
not yet been brought into force.

The Diplomatic Privileges (Commonwealth Countries and Republic
of Ireland) Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 37 | 57)

This Ordinance provided for the conferment on officers of Com-
monwealth Countries and the Republic of Ireland of reciprocal
privileges and immunities, similar to those conferred on consular
officers of foreign countries by the Diplomatic Privileges Ordinance
(Chapter 268 of the Revised Edition).

The Singapore Legislative Assembly Elections (Amendment) Ordin-
ance, 1957 (Ord. 39/57)

This Ordinance amended the Singapore Legislative Assembly
Elections Ordinance (Chapter 53 of the Revised Edition) to provide
that only citizens of Singapore shall be eligible to vote in the Legis-
lative Assembly Elections. It provided for the preparation of a regis-
ter of all persons qualified to be electors who are ordinarily resident

LEGISLATION 185

in their respective electoral divisions on the Ist day of February,
1958 and for the revision of the registers in each year following
1958.

The Mental Disorders and Treatment (Amendment) Ordinance,
1957 (Ord. 44/57)

This Ordinance which amended the Mental Disorders and Treat-
ment Ordinance (Chapter 145 of the Revised Edition) was designed
to facilitate the admission and treatment of mental patients and to
avoid non-essential formalities and publicity, which have in the past
deterred mental patients and their relatives from seeking treatment
of mental disease in mental hospitals. It also enabled the Medical
Superintendent of a mental hospital to discharge patients in the
mental hospital on his own authority, and thereby ensured that
there are no unnecessary delays in obtaining the formal discharge
of a patient from a mental hospital once the patient has recovered.

The Education Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 45/57)

This Ordinance amended and consolidated the legislation relating
to education and the registration of schools. It provided for the
registration of all schools in the Colony, other than schools in
which the teaching is of a purely religious character and institutions
of higher education which were exempted by the Minister; and the
registration of teachers, managers and supervisors of schools, other
than those of exempted schools and institutions.

The Stamp (Amendment) Ordinance, 1957 (Ord. 46 | 57)

This Ordinance amended the Stamp Ordinance (Chapter 170 of
the Revised Edition) to increase the stamp duty payable on con-
veyances, assignments and transfers of property other than stock
and marketable securities, to a flat rate of 2 per cent of the value
of such property.

XIII
Law and Order

OURTS OF LAW are established under the constitutional in-
struments of the Colony as amplified in local ordinances. The
judges, magistrates and court officials collectively form the Judicial
Department under the Chief Justice.
Civil Litigation

There were two Civil District Courts in 1957. Each Court is
presided over by a District Judge who is empowered to try cases
of civil nature in which the amount in dispute does not exceed
$1,000. Cases involving larger sums are heard in the High Court
which has unlimited jurisdiction and is presided over by the Chief
Justice or by a Puisne Judge. There were in 1957 a Chief Justice
and five Puisne Judges. The High Court also hears appeals from
Civil District Courts. Appeals from the High Court are heard by
the Court of Appeal composed of three Judges. A further appeal
in certain cases lies to the Privy Council. These Courts are con-
stituted under the Courts Ordinance, which also provides for Rules
Committees to prescribe rules for the detailed conduct of business.
The Court of Appeal and the High Court in both its civil and
criminal jurisdiction are collectively described as the Supreme
Court.

Most civil actions are begun by Writs of Summons. The issue
of Writs of Summons and other processes forms a large part of
the work of the Courts of civil jurisdiction and their registries. The
number of civil suits instituted during 1957 was about the same
as in the previous year. However, as there was an additional
puisne judge, more civil suits were heard and disposed of in 1957
than in 1956 or 1955. The effect of this was that, on an average,
civil cases during 1957 were heard within nine months of their
being set down for trial as compared to 1956 when they had to
wait for about 14 months before they were heard.

CIVIL LAW 187

BANKRUPTCY AND COMPANY LIQUIDATION

The administrative work arising from the bankruptcy jurisdic-
tion of the Supreme Court 1s dealt with by the Official Assignee
under the Bankruptcy Ordinance (Cap. 11).

The same officer in his capacity of Official Receiver deals with
the insolvency of companies under the provisions of the Companies
Ordinance (Cap. 174).

Bankruptcy statistics for 1957 show a considerable increase in
the number of Receiving Orders made particularly as regards wage-
earners. The figures for 1957 and the two preceding years are as
follows:

BANKRUPTCY
1955 1956 1957
Receiving Orders made:

in respect of wage-earners ss 189 266 378

in respect of traders... ee 84 44 63

$ $ $
Liabilities of bankrupts (approximately) 3,669,497 3,124,899 4,231,637
Estimated value of assets... ... 420,094 131,994 328,890

The figures reflect the results of a campaign, which is proceed-
ing in the Colony, to encourage wage-earners to clear themselves of
any outstanding debts and to live thereafter within their income.
The trade bankruptcies were not abnormal and there is no point
of particular interest to which reference need be made.

The above figures do not include liabilities and assets of insolvent
limited companies.

Sixty-one discharges were granted to bankrupts during the year
under review.

Two orders were made for the winding-up of companies in 1957.
In one of these, the Official Receiver was appointed liquidator
and the liabilities were found to be approximately $600,000 against
assets of approximately $140,000. In the other case, no liquidator
has yet been appointed.

ESTATES OF DECEASED PERSONS

The Public Trustee is appointed to administer estates of small
value and other estates which may be placed in his hands by the
Supreme Court in accordance with the Public Trustee Ordinance
(Cap. 32).

In addition, as Official Assignee, he administers small estates
under the Probate and Administration Ordinance (Cap. 17) and in

188 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

certain cases when no application has been made for probate or
letters of administration.

Seventy-seven new estates were handed over to the Public Trustee
during 1957, bringing the total number of estates now in the course
of administration or held in trust to approximately 400.

The total liquid assets amounted in 1957 to approximately
$2,580,000. Of this amount $1,843,955.10 was transferred to the
Common Fund and invested in trustee securities. A dividend
which is usually 34 per cent is paid on all money held in the
Common Fund and the holdings are guaranteed out of public funds,
so that any estate will receive back the full amount transferred
to the Common Fund, despite any fluctuations in the value of the
trustee securities. The Common Fund is managed by a Board of
public officers.

In addition to the liquid assets, the Public Trustee in December
1957, held land and household properties, the estimated value of
which was $911,000.

The Public Trustee as Official Assignee was administering about
300 small estates at the end of 1957.

During the year 229 estates were accepted for administration.
In these small estates the administration period does not usually
last longer than 3 or 4 months, but there is often a residue consisting
of the shares of minors which cannot be paid out until they come
of age.

The Official Assignee is now receiving Provident Fund benefits
and gratuities from various sources, especially where families of
the deceased are residing in India or other countries, or where no
trustees were appointed to receive the Provident Fund benefits.

Liquid funds held by the Official Assignee as administrator of
deceased persons’ estates as at December 1957 amounted to
$94,153.60 and the estimated value of immovable property so held
amounted to $30,000.

CRIMINAL COURTS, SECURITY ACTION
PROBATION SERVICE AND CRIME

COURTS

There were altogether 12 Criminal District and Magistrates’
Courts constituted under the Courts Ordinance at the end of 1957,
and one Juvenile Court constituted under the Children and Young
Persons Ordinance. Magistrates’ Courts are presided over by
magistrates, with powers which in general extend to the award of

CRIME 189

six months’ imprisonment and $1,000 fine. District Courts are
presided over by District Judges who may impose sentences up
to three years’ imprisonment and $3,000 fine. There are exceptions
to the above general rules. For administrative convenience, two
Magistrates’ Courts specialised in road traffic offences and another
specialised in offences concerning unauthorised building, hawking
and other breaches of the Municipal Ordinance. A special pro-
cedure is laid down for the Juvenile Court which tries offenders
below the age of 16 and may send them to approved schools,
approved homes and places of safety but not to prison. The
Juvenile Court is housed separately from the other Criminal Courts.

Graver offences are tried in the High Court at monthly Assizes
after preliminary inquiry in a Magistrate’s Court. At the Assizes,
a Judge of the High Court sitting with a jury of seven has un-
limited jurisdiction. The High Court has power on appeal to alter
the findings, sentences and other orders of the District and
Magistrates’ Courts. For cases heard: in the High Court an appeal
lies to the Court of Criminal Appeal consisting of three or more
Judges, and in certain cases, a further appeal may be made to
the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

The conduct of the Courts in criminal cases is governed by the
Criminal Procedure Code which also divides crimes into two
categories, seizable and non-seizable. Non-seizable crimes are the
less serious ones for which the offender may not ordinarily be
arrested without a warrant.

Although Criminal Assizes sat continuously throughout the year,
there were arrears of cases brought forward from one session of
Assizes to the next. The total number of persons tried at Assizes
during 1957 was 128 compared with 174 in 1956. About 36.7 per
cent of the convictions were for offences against the person, an
equal percentage for robberies and the remaining 26.6 per cent
for cheating, forgery and miscellaneous offences against property.
There was an increase in the number of adult persons dealt with
for crimes and offences in the Criminal District and Magistrates’
Courts. In 1957, 83,375 adults were dealt with as against 79,613
in 1956. There was, however, an appreciable decrease in the
number of children and young persons dealt with in the Juvenile
Court—421 in 1957 as compared with 560 in 1956 and 801 in 1955.

CORONER’S COURT

There were two Coroner’s Courts in 1957. Under the Criminal
Procedure Code a report must be made to the Coroner in cases

190 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

where a death appears to have occurred in a sudden, violent, un-
natural or unknown manner. In every case of death of any person
detained in a prison or lock-up, or of any person who suffers
capital punishment, the Coroner is required to hold an inquest with
Jurors to ascertain the cause of death. In other cases, an inquiry
without jurors is permitted. There were 14 inquests with jurors in
1957 as compared with 40 in 1956, and 908 inquiries as com-
pared with 828 in 1956.

CORONER’S VERDICTS

1956 1957
Murder sie a 16 20
Culpable homicide not amounting to murder ... 1 2
Justifiable Homicide ee 7 —
Causing death by a rash or negligent act (Motor
Vehicles) ... 19 38
Open Verdicts . ae vis 59 108
Deaths by misadventure ie i 246 260
Suicides di Jes o) aes 125 180
Natural Causes san ee aa 517 713
Other Causes i ai a 32 46
Pending a oe oral a 163 54
1,185 1,421

The Coroner may require the Police to initiate further investi-
gations if he finds that a death has occurred as a result of a
criminal act. He has also certain powers of arrest.

SECURITY ACTION

The year 1957 in Singapore was free of overt forms of communist
terrorism and the Malayan Communist Party’s ‘open’ reminders of
its existence amounted to no more than the putting up of three
posters and six flags and the publication of four issues only of its
monthly illegal news-sheet Freedom News which, like terrorism,
the Party found it expedient to suspend. In the way of Com-
munist Front activity, however, the Party has devoted much energy
to a three-pronged drive through political parties, trade unions of
the Left and the still powerful remnants of the Singapore Chinese
Middle School Students’ Union which was banned in 1956.
By August 1957, its adherents had supplanted the ‘moderates’ in the
Central Executive Committee of the People’s Action Party and were
in a fair way to capturing the Trades Union Congress. In both
these fields and on the student front, Communist activity on the

CRIME 191

‘cultural’ and propaganda level had become frequent and blatant by
the middle of the year. In the last week of August the Government
found it necessary in the public interest to take action against the
revived Communist Front. Thirty-nine trade union leaders and
members of the People’s Action Party were arrested and detained.
In September, 19 students of Chinese schools were also detained
under the provisions of the Preservation of Public Security Ordin-
ance.
THE PROBATION SERVICE

The development of the Probation Service in the Colony follows
the established pattern of the service in the United Kingdom. A
section of the Department of Social Welfare is responsible for the
supervision and welfare of adult and juvenile offenders placed on
probation under the Probation of Offenders Ordinance. Probation
Officers enquire into the character, family environment and other
circumstances of offenders at the request of any court. If after con-
sidering such report, the court is of the opinion that there is a good
prospect of rehabilitation, it may make an order requiring that the
offender be placed on probation. This, in effect, means the condi-
tional suspension of punishment while the offender is released
under the supervision of a probation officer who guides, assists and
advises him for a period varying from one to three years. During
the year, 527 such reports were submitted to the courts by pro-
bation Officers, a total of 200 (180 in 1956) adult offenders and 63
(78 in 1956) juvenile offenders being placed on probation. A total
of 138 adult and 87 juvenile probation cases were closed during
1957 and of these 22 adults and 12 juveniles had either committed
other offences or had otherwise failed to respond. Probation officers
were greatly assisted in their work by the invaluable advice of two
Case Committees, one dealing exclusively with adults and the other
with juveniles. |

The Probation Service is staffed by a Principal Probation Officer
and ten Probation Officers, two of whom are engaged wholly in
prison welfare work. The two Prison Welfare Officers had a total
of 509 active cases on their registers at the end of 1957. During
the year they interviewed 182 employers and found employment
for 32 prisoners. A total of 1,239 visits were made to homes of
prisoners with a view to ascertaining whether any assistance was
required by prisoners’ families. The two Case Committees of the
Singapore Aftercare Association advised and assisted the prison
welfare officers in the more difficult aspects of their work.

190 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

where a death appears to have occurred in a sudden, violent, un-
natural or unknown manner. In every case of death of any person
detained in a prison or lock-up, or of any person who suffers
capital punishment, the Coroner is required to hold an inquest with
jurors to ascertain the cause of death. In other cases, an inquiry
without jurors is permitted. There were 14 inquests with jurors in
1957 as compared with 40 in 1956, and 908 inquiries as com-
pared with 828 in 1956.

CORONER'S VERDICTS

1956 1957
Murder vee ae 16 20
Culpable homicide not amounting to murder ... 1 2
Justifiable Homicide oe 7 —
Causing death by a rash or negligent act (Motor
Vehicles) ... ad 19 38
Open Verdicts : i sh 59 108
Deaths by misadventure ot a 246 260
Suicides .c. a he oe 125 180
Natural Causes a a ‘c 517 713
Other Causes sie ake ee 32 46
Pending sai aes a e 163 54
1,185 1,421

The Coroner may require the Police to initiate further investi-
gations if he finds that a death has occurred as a result of a
criminal act. He has also certain powers of arrest.

SECURITY ACTION

The year 1957 in Singapore was free of overt forms of communist
terrorism and the Malayan Communist Party’s ‘open’ reminders of
its existence amounted to no more than the putting up of three
posters and six flags and the publication of four issues only of its
monthly illegal news-sheet Freedom News which, like terrorism,
the Party found it expedient to suspend. In the way of Com-
munist Front activity, however, the Party has devoted much energy
to a three-pronged drive through political parties, trade unions of
the Left and the still powerful remnants of the Singapore Chinese
Middle School Students’ Union which was banned in 1956.
By August 1957, its adherents had supplanted the ‘moderates’ in the
Central Executive Committee of the People’s Action Party and were
in a fair way to capturing the Trades Union Congress. In both
these fields and on the student front, Communist activity on the

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192 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

CRIME

The year 1957 was marked by a sharp increase in secret society
activity with special emphasis on the more violent types of crime.
Secret society members were responsible for 12 of the year’s 26
murders and seven of the 19 attempts to murder, the majority of the
reports of extortion and all the kidnappings for ransom. The figures
for kidnapping and extortion were the highest since 1951 and were
still increasing at the end of the year.

Of the other offences the main concern was the very high incid-
ence of housebreaking and of thefts which were the highest since
1951. The increases in population, unemployment and housing
estates mainly accounted for the rise.

Comparative figures of crime are shown below. It will be noticed
that the number of convictions obtained in 1957 was half the 1956
figure. This is because fewer raids were made and 1,600 less
convictions obtained in respect of narcotics offences. In spite of this
the number of cases fully investigated increased slightly.

COMPARATIVE FIGURES FOR SEIZABLE OFFENCES — 1955-1957

1955 1956 1957
Cases Fully Investigated... 12,936 14,816 14,874
Convicted a so ey 3,020 1,619
Acquitted eee a 749 745 615
Undetected bats isis 6,816 7,274 7,837
Pending 1. on 643 662 284
Accused Dead or Insane __... 13 26 15
Cleared Up aa ie 1,725 3,089 4,504

* Includes 230 cases which were awaiting Trial at the end of 1954.

Secret Societies

A total of 4,933 persons were detained and interrogated in con-
nection with secret society activities. Of this number, 226 were
placed on record by order of the Registrar of Societies and 26
charged in court for being members of secret societies. In addition a
large number of persons were questioned in checks carried out in
the streets and coffee shops. 323 secret society members and 172
other persons were prosecuted for offences under the Penal Code
and other Ordinances.

Twelve murders and seven attempted murders were committed by
Chinese secret society members, compared with four murders and
two attempts in 1956.

CRIME 193

There were seven cases of kidnapping for ransom, compared with
three for last year, of which all but one were believed to have been
committed by Chinese secret society members. Ransoms totalling
$58,000 were paid in three cases. Two victims escaped without pay-
ing up. One was rescued by prompt police action following a brave
and determined °999’ call by the victim’s wife. The remaining case
was that of a Chinese who was released before ransom was paid.

There were 185 Chinese secret society fights (9 major and 176
minor) compared with 82 in 1956 (25 major and 57 minor), resulting
in ten murders and 167 persons injured.

The ‘24’ and ‘108’ groups of secret societies were still the most
powerful groups in Singapore. They have been at ‘war’ with each
other since early 1957 and rivalry between them continued to be
keen and bitter. They were responsible for a very high percentage
of the fights that took place during the year.

Chinese secret society members commonly use parangs in pre-
meditated fights, but Malay and Indian secret society members
usually use bottles and sticks.

Malay and Indian members of secret societies are few and there
were only two minor fights—the same number as 1956—in which
racially mixed gangs took part.

Active secret society thugs are now usually between 16 and 20
years of age.

Commercial Crime Branch

Twenty-six cases were investigated under the Penal Code, 72
under the Merchandise Marks Ordinance and 22 under various
other Ordinances.

No case of counterfeit local currency was brought before the
court, but one person was arrested and charged in the Assizes with
possession of 150,000 forged Indonesian rupiah notes.

Anti-Vice Branch

220 hotel-keepers, compared with 74 in 1956, were summoned
for various offences in 1957, resulting in fines totalling $9,767.
Intensive raids were made and as a result 20 ‘shady’ hotels closed
down voluntarily.

The number of brothels in private premises increased. 108
searches of suspected brothels were made and 53 juvenile pros-
titutes were detained and handed over to the Social Welfare
Department. |

194 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Gambling Suppression Branch
Figures for 1955, 1956 and 1957 are:

1955 1956 1957
(a) Searches conducted ae 540 878 620
(b) Successful searches seg 358 643 518
(c) Persons arrested 888 | 1,216 401
(d) Value of rela Ji Kee dean:
ments seized . $240,823 $206,971 $ 6,484.03
(e) Fines imposed ... ... $198,449 $ 96,672 $12,085.00
(f) Fines paid we .. $ 49,053 $ 46,972 $ 3,335.00
(g) Persons sentenced to impri-
sonment without ppHon: of
fine 53 48 1
(h) Clubs dissolved ‘for any
offences 6 2 —

From January 1957, all action against operators of the “‘Charac-
ters’ and ‘Chap Ji Kee’ lotteries was suspended pending a decision
of the High Court on lower court rulings that these forms of
gaming were not lotteries within the meaning of the Common
Gaming Houses Ordinance. The High Court in November ruled
that the essential characteristic of a lottery was missing in the
‘Characters’ lottery, and, as such, it was not a public lottery, but in
December, the High Court ruled that the ‘Chap Ji Kee’ lottery was
a public lottery. Action against promoters of ‘Chap Ji Kee’ was
therefore recommenced. During 1957, 43 searches were made of
common gaming houses, and 562 raids against clubs operating as
common gaming houses were made compared with 241 in 1956.

Second-hand Dealers and Pawnshops Branch

424 second-hand dealers licences were issued in 1957 compared
with 456 in 1956. 2,497 checks, compared with 1,726, were made,
resulting in 71 prosecutions and fines totalling $3,813, compared
with 60 prosecutions and fines totalling $2,849 in 1956. 75 Certi-
ficates of Exemption were approved.

921 inspections of pawnshops, compared with 525 in 1956, were
carried out and 5 pawnbrokers were convicted of various offences
under the Ordinance.

Narcotics

Of the illicit narcotic drugs, opium continued to be the most
widely used and smuggled. 3,940 lb. were seized by Customs and
Police in 1957.

CRIME 195

The following table shows the position based on identification
in Singapore of seizures made:

Country of Quantity of % ofTotal % of Total Seizures in
Origin Opium Seized Seizures 956 1955
‘Yunnan’ tes 1,149 29.2 66.2 20
India/Pakistan _... 154 . 3.9 13.9 12
Iran... ie 57 1.5 6.1 50
Burma sie 69 1.7 — 12
Unidentified ae 2,511 63.7 13.8 6

Note:—‘Yunnan’ is a term used by local traffickers to describe opium received through
outlet ports in Thailand and probably consists of illicit supplies originating in the Burma-
Thai-China frontier areas.

A notable feature of the year was the continued fall in seizures
of opium of Iranian origin. This may be attributable directly to
the success of the campaign to eradicate the cultivation and trade
in Opium in that country. The appreciable increase in unidentified
seizures was due to larger quantities being intercepted after land-
ing, when reliable identification proves extremely difficult.

The wholesale price of illicit opium was as follows:

Country of January June December
Origin $ per Ib. $ per Ib. $ per Ib.
*“Yunnan’ sia 310 240 210
Burma See 335 280 235
Iran oe 450 415 400°
India/Pakistan ... 550 530 530

* It was reported that none was available in Singapore at the end of the year.

Because of the successes of Customs ship rummagers in former
years, Opium smugglers appeared to favour, as their means of
transport, small motor vessels, such as those which regularly visit
the international deep-sea fishing grounds. At considerable dis-
tances from Singapore, these vessels meet similar craft of Singa-
pore registry. After receiving the illicit cargo, the new carrier
proceeds towards its destination and is met by one or more speed-
boats which ferry the contraband ashore. The exporting vessel
probably carries up to 2,000 lb., representing two or three separate
consignments for collection at sea.

Opium trafficking syndicates usually consisted of a principal
financier providing up to $30,000 of the capital, and a number of
small investors contributing $1.000 or $2,000 each.

196 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

The Singapore Central Narcotics Intelligence Bureau, which
collects and disseminates information on the narcotics traffic
throughout the Malayan Area and beyond, forms part of the
Customs organisation. Its useful and valuable work has grown
steadily. Its files contain many criminal histories and the dossiers
of persons known or suspected to be involved in drug-trafficking.
These records are kept up to date, all information received being
carefully sifted and recorded. The data they contain is instantly
available both to the Department’s investigators and to overseas
authorities. There was a considerable increase in the amount of
information received from overseas territories and in the number
of requests for assistance. The Bureau issued a quarterly bulletin
with a world wide circulation.

The progress achieved during the year by the Government’s
Opium Treatment Centre on St. John’s Island in curing and re-
habilitating addicts must in time reduce the demands for illicit
narcotic drugs.

Police Action
Figures for raids and seizures are as follows:

1956 1957
Raids on Opium Dens ... 3,149 2,541
Opium Pipes Seized oy, 1,749 2,053
Oil Lamps recovered es 1,543 1,678
Persons charged oy 1,070 676
Raw Opium seized aes 495 lb. 306 lb.

Sound security measures were adopted by operators of opium
dens to forestall police raids and, in many cases, it was found that
court action against promoters was difficult owing to lack of
evidence. Wealthy promoters and organizers of opium dens remain
in the background and are virtually immune from court prosecu-
tions.

A good many of the dens are suspected to be protected by secret
society members who also assist in the collection of bad debts.
Some of the dens are believed to be brothels as well as opium dens.

SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE

The establishment of the Force remained unchanged although
serious crime has shown a sharp increase in relation to the increase
of population. Apart from the introduction by legislation of the
Malayanisation terms affecting overseas officers, the conditions of
service remained unchanged.

5
VOT

Top—A radar-equipped Customs launch on patrol.
Below—A Police patrol car sets up a road block.

tris

‘rts
‘ue
‘artis

Top—The newly completed Tan Tock Seng Hospital Ward block.
Below—Tailor’s shop, Opium Treatment Centre. St. John’s Island.

POLICE 197

STRENGTH OF THE REGULAR POLICE FORCE 1957

Gazetted Uniform C.1.D.

Race Officers Inspectors Branch and SB. Total
European in 35 — _ — 35
Eurasian sat 7 48 45 23 123
Chinese med 21 153 193 338 705
Ceylonese 4 19 9 1 33
Indian be 5 49 181 51 286
Pakistani oe. 2 4 102 10 118
Malay 5 31 2,277 76 2,389
Gurkha a — 11 315 — 326
Indonesian __...... — 2 ye, 10 14
Arabian we — — — 3 3
Siamese abe — — — 1 1
Filippino oe — — 1 2
Jew - — — — 1 1
Vietnamese __.... — — — 1 1
German oe — — ] — 1
Annamite oe — — —_ 1 1

Total... 79 317 3,126 517 4,039

———— Se et eee ————

Although the recruitment of constables into the Force was
steadily maintained, the Force was not able to come up to full
establishment owing to wastages. A comparative scale of the
strength is shown below:

Authorised Actual
1955 a hs 4,422 3,958
1956 ne ne 4,472 4,030
1957 be ate 4,465 4,039

During 1957, a large number of the 1,427 applicants lacked
the educational and physical qualifications required for entry into
the Force. The 162 recruits, composed of 41 Malays, 55 Chinese, 57
Indians and 9 Eurasians, were given their basic training at the
Police Training School. Although emphasis was again placed on
the recruiting of more Chinese constables, the number of Chinese
applicants suitable for recruitment was small. Graduates of the
Chinese Middle schools showed little enthusiasm for making a
career in the Force and those Chinese taken in were mainly
English educated.

The Commissioner’s Cadets were maintained at the full comple-
ment of 50. 2 Cadets who passed their School Certificate Examina-
tions in 1956 were promoted to Probationary Inspectors.

198 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Two promotion courses for N.C.O.s were held during the year
and 64 N.C.O.s received training. Two new courses, also for
N.C.O.s, were formed during the latter part of the year.

During 1957, 2 Assistant Superintendents and 15 Inspectors
attended various courses in the United Kingdom, such as Finger-
printing, Radio Engineering, Music and Criminal Investigation.

48 new barracks were completed at Beach Road for housing
married members of the Rank and File.

Special Constabulary

There was no change in the constitution of the Special Con-
stabulary which is divided up into the Active and the Reserve Unit.
The latter Unit, comprising part-time unpaid volunteers, commonly
called the Volunteer Special Constabulary, keenly support the
regular Police Force when called upon to do so.

The new Volunteer Special Constabulary Headquarters adjoining
the Police Training School grounds has been the centre for many
social gatherings both of members of the Constabulary and of
regulars during the year.

STRENGTH OF SPECIAL CONSTABULARY

Active Reserve
Commandant ... Be 1 1
Deputy Commandant _... — 1
Assistant Commandants ... ] 1
Chief Inspectors - 1 16
Inspectors — ed 15 38
Staff Sergeants oe — 8
Sergeants oe “G 48 75
Corporals S34 ie 85 94
Lance Corporals a 70 152
Constables ne oe 1,079 709

1,300 1,095

Headquarters Staff

The Force is directed by the Commissioner of Police and his staff
from Police Headquarters. Pearl’s Hill. Attached to the Commis-
sioner of Police are a Police Secretary and a Financial Officer
responsible for publicity, estimates. finance, etc. The Deputy Com-
missioner of Police, who is in executive command, is assisted by
5 Commanding Officers as follows:

(i) Senior Assistant Commissioner ‘Areas’ who controls and
directs the activities of all Police personnel in the 4

CUSTOMS 199

Police Areas, the Radio Division, the Police staff
attached to the Courts, the Special Constabulary and
the Volunteer Special Constabulary;

(ii) Senior Assistant Commissioner in charge of Special Branch,
who is given the title of Director, Special Branch, and
is responsible for the collection, collation and appre-
ciation of all security intelligence and of intelligence
regarding political developments which have a bearing
upon the security of Singapore;

(iii) Assistant Commissioner, Detachments, who is in charge of
specialised Uniform Branch detachments, 1.e. Traffic
Police, Mechanical Transport, the Reserve Unit, Marine
Division, Gurkha Contingent, the Security Squad and
the Dog Unit;

(iv) Assistant Commissioner, Criminal Investigation Depart-
ment, who is responsible for the direction of investiga-
tion and prevention of crime, and the collection,
recording and dissemination of criminal intelligence;

(v) Assistant Commissioner, Training and Personnel, who is
responsible for all recruiting, personnel records and
training.

A branch of the Force under the direct control of the Deputy
Commissioner of Police is the Organisation and Planning Branch
which has three Staff Officers and is in charge of the Weights and
Measures Branch, Arms and Explosives Branch, ‘Q’ Branch (Stores)
and the Force Armoury. The Staff Officers work, when required
to, in conjunction with Assistant Commissioners ih an advisory
capacity on matters appertaining to Force efficiency generally.

Combined Operations Control Room

Adjacent to the Headquarters building, there is an air-
conditioned bomb-proof Combined Operations Control Room, in
daily use by Radio Division and designed as an emergency head-
quarters. It is the centre of radio, telephone and teleprinter com-
munications and houses Military, Civil Defence and Government
liaison officers when necessary.

CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT

Singapore has since 1819 enjoyed free port status. Customs duties
are levied on only three commodities—petroleum, intoxicating
liquors, and tobacco—and on these only when they are released

200 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

from bond for domestic consumption. The success of revenue
collection is in part due to the protection afforded by the Customs
Preventive, and Special Investigation Branches, which are con-
cerned not only with the protection of revenue but also with the
suppression of the smuggling of opium, gold, arms and other con-
traband.

There was in 1957 an unprecedented increase in tobacco smug-
gling from Rhio Archipelago, conducted with great determination,
skill and utter ruthlessness. More than 28 tons of tobacco, mostly
cigarettes, were seized during the year—a 400 per cent increase
over the previous year. This development arose mainly as a result
of increases in the tobacco tariff in November 1956. Smugglers were
not slow to exploit the proximity of the ‘free ports’ of the Indo-
nesian islands to which tobacco (mainly cigarettes) may be exported
from Singapore bonds, duty unpaid, only to be smuggled back at
the first opportunity. The problem was resolutely tackled by the
Preventive and Special Branches which, although ill equipped to
intercept their opponents’ high speed craft, soon turned captured
boats to good account, pending the receipt of new vessels.

Preventive land patrols kept in check illicit distilleries operat-
ing in jungle and rural areas and destroyed no less than 166 stills.

The Customs Department also assisted in the enforcement of
non-fiscal controls on imports and exports, and of veterinary,
agricultural and postal restrictions.

SEIZURES OF CONTRABAND

Tobacco (including Cigars and Cigarettes) ... 62,891 lb.
Imported Liquors _... bis 571 gallons
Locally distilled liquors (Satigay 2,100 gallons
Fermented Rice Mash (for the snaeutachire

of Samsu) oe ae bes 35,977 gallons
Unlicensed Stills me er ne 166
Opium, raw and prepared ss ve 3,940 Ib.
Indian Hemp sea ee asi 52.858 Ib.
Morphine ... ses es we 5,922 grammes
Gold — oi 21 Ib.
Miscellaneous Trade Goods (Value) 133 $10,077
Vehicles used in smuggling :—
Motor Cars aa sae i 63
Bicycles... sas ons tiaca 44
Motor Cycles ian aiaet oad 1
Marine Craft sient jal eas 39

Outboard Motors ots ae vat 49

CUSTOMS 201

The Preventive Branch is equipped with various types of road
vehicles and also operates a fleet of 15 launches. Radio-telephone
sets, many of them portable, are used for inter-launch and search
party communication. Two of the larger launches are also fitted
with radar.

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AND INSPECTORATE
OF DANGEROUS MATERIALS

The main function of the Department is to provide chemical and
allied scientific services to other Government departments and, to
a smaller degree, directly to the public. The major part of these
services are required by the Customs, Police and Health Autho-
rities.

For revenue purposes, an important part of the work of the
Department is the determination of spirit strength in connection
with the assessment of duty on intoxicating liquor. In 1957, over
11,000 samples of liquor were analysed. Only a limited number
of examinations are required for the administration of the Petro-
leum Revenue Ordinance. On the preventive front, the Customs
Department seized illicit narcotics and these were sampled and
assayed prior to sale to authorised manufacturers of morphine for
medical use. With the smuggling of prepared tobacco, the Depart-
ment provided certificates, stating the nature and amount of
dutiable tobacco involved in the large number of seizures.

Forensic Laboratories

Investigating officers made full use of the well equipped
forensic laboratories and document examination section. Over
8,000 exhibits were examined. Lectures and demonstrations on the
laboratory aspects of crime investigation, were provided for prob-
ationary inspectors of the Advanced Police Training Unit. The
Chief Chemist revised a previous publication entitled Scientific Aids
for Police Investigating Officers.

There was a welcome increase in the number of Food and Drug
samples submitted for testing from non-City areas. New Food and
Drugs Regulations which were approved, were of material
assistance in the efficient control of the manufacture and
sale of foods. Drugs and medicinal preparations manufactured by
the Government Medical Store continued to be checked by regular
assays of raw and final products. The Health branch frequently
asked for technical assistance for the investigation of effluents

202 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

from, or working conditions in, manufacturing premises, or advice
on suggested alteration and additions to them. The work fore-
shadowed many of the problems likely to arise with the rapid
industrialisation of Singapore and illustrated the need to institute
controls to avoid a repetition of the nuisances which have beset
other industrial countries.

A limited amount of analytical work or advice was required by
the Chief Agricultural Officer on fertilisers and pesticides, and by
the Chief Veterinary Officer on feeding stuffs.

PRISON ADMINISTRATION

The Singapore Prisons Service is responsible for :

H.M. Local Prison, Outram Road (Short Sentence) with
which is included the Remand and Female Prisons.

H.M. Prison Changi (Long Sentence).
Reformative Training Centre, Outram Road.
Opium Treatment Centre, St. John’s Island.
Changi Camp (Open Prison).

Discharge Camp, Woodlands (Open Prison).

A total of 4,497 persons were received into Prison in 1957:

Condemned ae sie 7
Detained during H.M.P. _.... 8
Long Sentence... fs 144
Reformative Training io 35
Preventive Detention a 2
Short Sentence... es 1,724
Opium Treatment ade 361
Safe Custody... ve 1,999
Vagrants ba ie 46
Banishees es woe 47
Detainees mr | ss 124

PRISONS 203

The daily average population of the Prisons was 1,174.55.

Opium Refor-
Local Changi Changi Treat- mative
Prison Prison Camp ment Training
Centre Centre
Daily average male

prisoners 401.01 333 47 200 —
Daily average fe:

male prisoners ... 30.89 — —_- ot ake
Daily average

young prisoners 43.69 10 — — 31
Daily average va-

grants 15.96 9 53 — —

Highest saeabee
held on any one
day ... 612 432 111 244 44

Staff

Three new posts of Assistant Superintendent of Prisons were
created and filled by local officers.

22 expatriate officers left the service on Malayanisation.

To implement the Government’s policy on Malayanisation a total
of 46 sub-officers were recruited locally during the year in three
batches of 3, 24 and 19 in January, May and December respectively.

Changi Prison

New visiting cubicles were built to enable ‘open visits’ to certain
classes of prisoners and an internal broadcasting system was in-
stalled in the prison.

In response to an appeal to the public many persons volunteered
their services, and, as a result, educational, typewriting and short-
hand classes were commenced, and made very satisfactory pro-
gress.

Religious services and cinema shows were held throughout the
year.

One of the wards in the Prison Hospital was converted into a
Memorial Chapel, dedicated to the civilians and members of
the Armed Services who lost their lives during internment.

During the year, prisoners played games (mainly football) out-
side the Prison against local teams.

Changi Camp

New pig styes and septic tanks, a cattle byre and a bull pen were
built on the Prison Farm. There was an increase in both stock and
production in this section.

204 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Local Prison

Alterations were made to the Remand Prison in the latter part
of the year enabling greatly improved facilities for visitors and
for the segregation of persons held there.

Religious services and cinema shows continued to be held
throughout the year.

Certain prisoners were engaged in hobbies in their association
periods.

Training classes for Warders were introduced to promote
efficiency in the Service.

OPIUM TREATMENT CENTRE

Progress continued to be made and very good reports on the
Centre and the work being done there were received from all
visitors. 401 inmates were released on licence during the year and
eight volunteer patients completed their rehabilitation term.

Weights gained by inmates were as follows :

Male Female

At the end of first month ae 6 Ib. 3 Ib.
On release ie ae 11.5 Ib. 13 Ib.

Reformative Training Centre

Reformative training for persons between the ages of 16 to 21
was introduced during the year and the Centre was opened on Ist
July, 1957. Though still in its infancy good progress has been
made.

Industries

Prison industries operate eleven basic types of industries, viz.—
carpentry, farm, footwear, garage, laundry, mat and mattress mak-
ing, printing/book-binding, rattan, sheet-metal, tailoring and
weaving.

New machinery was installed in the tailoring and printing work-
shops resulting in improved quality of production. New machinery
for the laundry and carpentry sections arrived towards the end of
the year and is awaiting installation.

The gross income from Prison industries for 1957 was assessed
at $328,796.92 representing $83,899.93 (revenue) and $244,896.99
(savings). The value of production for the year improved on the
1956 value by $50,315.17.

PRISONS 205

Discharge Camp, Woodlands

An average of 20 prisoners throughout the year worked at the
Royal Malayan Naval Barracks on road making, building and
scrub clearance. These are well conducted prisoners in their last
few months of sentence. They are housed and fed by the Royal
Malayan Navy.

General

Officers and prisoners voluntarily donated blood to the Singapore
Blood Transfusion Service throughout the year.

Three prisoners were allowed to enter the Singapore Amateur
Boxing Association Championships. One reached the final and was
runner-up for his weight.

XIV

Public Utilities and
Public Works

HE SUPPLY of water, electricity and gas is the responsibility

of the City Council which also provides a fire-fighting service
and a City cleansing service. The building and maintenance of
roads, bridges and the sewerage system is the responsibility of the
City Engineer within City limits whilst the construction and main-
tenance of buildings belonging to the City Council is carried out
by the City Architect. Roadworks in the rural areas are undertaken
by the Public Works Department of the Colony of Singapore. This
department is, in addition, responsible for the building and main-
tenance of all government constructional works wherever situated.

WATER SUPPLIES

In 1857 the Singapore Government installed the first water reticu-
lation system for the benefit of the people of Singapore. The work
of administering and developing this supply was handed over to
the Municipal Council in 1878. The original supply was from the
site of the present MacRitchie Reservoir but during the last 100
years it has been necessary to establish sources of supply in the
Federation of Malaya.

Today, three impounding reservoirs exist on Singapore Island,
and yield approximately 17 million gallons per day. A catchment
area is leased from the Government of the State of Johore, and
this area serves four impounding reservoirs and treatment works,
which produce 18 million gallons per day. A further supply in the
State of Johore has been developed over the past four years at
‘Tebrau River, from which it is now possible to obtain 25 million
gallons per day of treated water. Both these supplies are delivered
through 30 miles of pipeline into the Singapore distribution system.

The increase in demand for water continued throughout 1957
when the average output was 56.15 million gallons per day,

PUBLIC UTILITIES 207

but in view of discussions between Government and the City
Council on an acceptable scheme which would provide for flood
relief as well as greater water storage, little progress could be made
during the year to provide for greater raw water storage capacity.
Further works, however, were carried out at Tebrau River to
increase the output from 25 million gallons per day of treated
water to 50 million gallons per day of raw water, whilst Pumping
and Treatment Plant at Woodleigh Filters and Bukit Timah Filters
were developed in order to deal with this raw water supply, which
is to be brought from the State of Johore and placed in the Singa-
pore Island Reservoirs of MacRitchie and Peirce.

A new Service Reservoir was built on the Eastern side of the
Island at Jalan Eunos at a cost of $1.6 millions. This reservoir
has a capacity of 74 million gallons and was commissioned towards
the end of the year.

During the year, work on Bedok Valley Water Scheme continued.
This scheme consists of pumping water from an underground
aquifer to a treatment plant and then direct into the distribution
system. Water will be obtained from ten wells and a flood allevia-
tion reservoir, which should constitute a supply of 5 million gallons
per day. The quality of water was of a high standard throughout
the year with a total of some 30,000 bacteriological and analytical
tests being carried out to ensure the highest purity.

The fluoridation of the complete supply was accomplished dur-
ing 1957, and it is hoped that the future generations on Singapore
Island will benefit by the reduction of dental decay due to this
treatment.

Water charges during the year remained unchanged as follows:

Per thousand gallons

$ c.
Clause 1—Shipping Supplies - 2 75
Clause 2—Domestic Supplies ee 60
Clause 3—Processed for sale, etc. ... 2 00
Clause 4—All other Supplies 1 30

ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES

The distribution of electricity by the Municipality began in 1906
with the purchase in bulk from the Tramway Co. In 1926, St. James’
Power Station was built, and, after additions in 1941 and 1948, this
station reached an installed capacity of 37,000 kilowatts, but this
could not meet the demand of a growing population and rapid
rehabilitation of the economy, and ‘black-outs’ were not in-
frequently the result of the strain. Work began in 1950 on the new

208 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Power Station at Pasir Panjang. By December 1952, in what is
believed to have been record time, the first 25,000 kilowatt turbo-
alternator and boiler were commissioned. Additional 25,000 turbo-
alternators were commissioned in the years 1953, 1954 and 1955.
With the further installation of a fifth machine in 1956 the new
power station was within 25,000 kilowatts of its ultimate installed
capacity of 150,000 kilowatts.

The maximum demand during 1957 was 95,500 kilowatts.

To provide for future demand a new type of gas turbine generat-
ing plant is to be installed at St. James’ Power Station at a cost
of approximately $16,000,000. Orders were placed for six units of
6,000 kilowatts free piston gas generators and turbo-alternators and
tenders were invited for the purchase, dismantling and removal of
the old and obsolete plant at St. James’ Power Station.

The new plant when installed will provide an additional 36,000
kilowatts.

Increases in fuel costs and labour charges made it necessary to
recommend increases in electricity charges and hire charges for
appliances, the first since 1949.

The following revised tariffs, effective from ist January, 1958,
were approved by the Council:

ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION CHARGES

Cc
Lighting and Fans— :
Consumptions in excess of 15 units p.m.
The first 5,000 units p.m. ‘ee ot, 20
The next 5,000 units p.m. af sao 06
Lifts, Cinemas and Motor Generators—
The first 5,000 units p.m. ... a or 20
The next 5,000 units p.m. ... on an 06
Industrial Power
_ The first 5,000 units p.m. ... A ts 06
The next 20,000 units p.m. ... os oe 05
The remainder units p.m. _... ee ue 044

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES — HIRE CHARGES PER MONTH
Fan Gee ene
Large Kwali Cooker ...
Large Standard Cooker
Medium Standard Cooker
Table Kwali Cooker ..
Large Water Heater ...
Medium Water Heater
Small Water Heater ...

ma ot Kom NW WY DD
USssSssss

PUBLIC UTILITIES 209

ELECTRICAL MOTORS — HIRE CHARGES PER MONTH

$c

1 HP. 4 50
2 HP. 6 00
3 HP. 7 50
5 HP. 9 00
74 H.-P. 10 50
10 H.P. 13 50
15 HP. 16 50
20 H.P. 19 50
25 HP. 24 00
30 HP. 27 00
35 HP. 28 50
40 HP. 33 00
45 HP. 36 00
50 H.P. 39 00

Distribution is over a . 600 and 22,000 volt network to 393
substations of which 41 were commissioned in 1957. Cables laid
during the year totalled 224,517 yards of which 159,167 yards were
underground and 65,350 yards overhead. In addition 82,973 yards
of pilot and telephone cables were laid. Services connected were
845 underground and 5,183 overhead. The supply to consumers is
at 230 volts A.C. A total of 78,845 consumers existed at the end
of the year and on their premises were 133,282 meters.

The following is an analysis of revenue received from the sale
of electricity :

1956 1957
—— Units Sold Revenue Units Sold Revenue
$ c. $ c.
Lighting and Fans .. 67,355,259 11,366,431 87 74,142,414 12,374,617 36
Domestic power other than above 109,108,950 6,590,051 92 129,758,633 7,834,233 32
Industrial Power .. .. 192,640,651 8,492,823 82 225,617,470 10,070,818 51
Public Street Lighting in City
Area (paid by City Council) .. 6,523,214 792,950 32 7,497,802 913,248 92
Public Street Lighting in Rural
Area (paid by Rural Board) . 778,798 148,366 37 1,076,206 201,613 33
Traffic Signals (paid by Colony
Government)... 287,889 21,611 88 327,070 24,508 47

Total .. 376,694,761 27,412,236 18 438,419,595 31,419,039 91

The Council, early in the year, decided to cease the purchase of
further appliances for hire. The following represents the total

number of appliances on hire at the end of 1957—the preceding
year’s totals being shown in brackets:

Ceiling Fans a — (46,554) 51,269
Water Heaters bes Sos ( 8,352) 9,958
Cookers... ee ‘is (21,891) 24,284
Motors _.... . ea ( 365) 377

Revenue from the hire of the above appliances during 1957 was
$1,264,491.25, an increase of $229,509.25.

210 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

The total number of street lanterns installed up to the end of
the year was 10,122 of which 1,200 were connected during 1957.
The total extent of street lighting is now 247.10 miles.

GAS SUPPLIES

The Singapore Gas Company was responsible for the supply of
gas from 1862 until 1901, when it was taken over by the Municipal
Commissioners. At this time the gas was produced by carbonisation
of coal. Various systems of vertical and horizontal retort were used
during the next thirty years culminating in the installation of ten
new beds of horizontal retorts with modern coal and coke handling
plant and the introduction of carburetted water gas. For the next
eleven years, until 1942, the Singapore undertaking was maintained
at a reasonably high level of thermal efficiency.

The Japanese Occupation produced a major setback and an
extensive programme of reconstruction was required to restore gas
production in 1945.

Public lighting, by gas, which in 1940 consumed 49 per cent of
the total gas manufactured, was gradually relinquished in favour
of electricity. In 1955 the last gas lamp was extinguished but in
Spite of this loss the Department maintained a steady rate of expan-
sion due to the increasing popularity of gas for cooking and water
heating.

During the years 1949 to 1955 the price of coal, the basic raw
material of the Gas Works, fluctuated through a very wide range
and it became apparent that a radical change of policy was required.
After due consideration the City Council decided to replace all of
the existing coal/water gas installations with oil gasification plant
of the latest design.

The first unit of the oil gas plant was completed in December
1957 and arrangements were being made at the end of the year to
close down the old gas-making units. The new gas production plant
consists of three Onia Gegi catalytic oil gasification units, each
capable of producing 1,500,000 cu. ft. per day.

The basic raw material for gasmaking is a residual fuel oil and
is the same as that currently used for the generation of electricity
at Pasir Panjang Power Station.

The Department was therefore able to avail itself of a special
tariff for this type of fuel oil. During test runs, a thermal conversion
efficiency of 82 per cent was achieved, which is equal to the best
results obtained in any other part of the world. A unique refri-
geration system is incorporated, in the new plant, to ensure the

PUBLIC UTILITIES 21t

complete removal of ammonia and naphthalene. It also enables the
gas to be distributed in an unsaturated condition and prevents the
deposition of condensate in the gas distribution mains. The absence
of ammonia and naphthalene will reduce the work of the meter
repair section.

Other new items of plant which were commissioned during the
year include a dry purification plant with a capacity of three million
cubic feet per day and complete with overhead revivification floor,
Connersville station meter, three station governors for City, Katong
and Tanglin areas, and an electric substation for low tension dis-
tribution.

Work was started on the new waterless gasholder which will
have a storage capacity of one million cubic feet. The erection of
this gasholder will be unusual in that the roof will be built on
the ground and will have a travelling crane constructed on top of
it, to facilitate the positioning of side plates. The roof and piston
will then be raised, in stages, by compressed air, until the roof is in
its final position, 160 feet high. Two special features of this type
of gasholder are the constant pressure conditions throughout the
full range of the storage capacity and a low weight factor which is
important because of the poor load bearing qualities of the ground
at the site.

A high pressure distribution ring is nearing completion. This
high pressure ring, which will cost $1,000,000 when completed, has
been superimposed on the existing low pressure network and is
capable of delivering 300,000 cu. ft. of gas per hour. In addition
to increasing the flexibility of the distribution system the high pres-
sure ring will perform the following functions:

(1) supplementation of new low pressure networks in housing
developments at Opera Estate, Upper Serangoon,
Thomson Road and Sembawang;

(2) supplementation of existing low pressure areas where over-
loading is already in evidence;

(3) beyond 64 m.s. Bukit Timah Road, all new consumers will
be supplied directly off the high pressure line.

The improved gas supply position enabled the Department to
compete for new business over a wider area; and meet the definite
increase in the demand for gas.

Gas sales in 1957 amounted to 537,566,800 cu. ft. compared
with 161,825,400 cu. ft. in 1940. Gas was supplied to 12,720 con-
sumers through a combined high and low pressure network com-
prising of 282 miles of supply pipes.

212 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

There were 11,042 cookers and 4,267 water heaters on hire to
the public, bringing in an income of $263,007 per annum.

The income from tar sales during 1957 was $101,932 and coke
sales amounted to $246,919.

FIRE SERVICE

The Singapore Fire Brigade is responsible for fire fighting ©
throughout the Island. In the rural areas, fire services, including
fire hydrants and the supply of water to them, are provided by the
City Council under a financial agreement with the Rural Board.
The Singapore Fire Brigade also administers on behalf of Govern-
ment the Auxiliary Fire Service which has a well-equipped depdt
in Serangoon Road. A fire station to cover the central sector of
the Island was built at Hill Street in 1909, and substantially en-
larged in 1930. Brigade Headquarters is situated in this Central
Fire Station. In 1929 a second fire station was built at Geylang.
Plans have been drawn up for providing additional quarters at this
station. A fire station was opened at Alexandra Road in 1954 to
serve the rapidly expanding Queenstown district. This station,
which covers 54 acres, not only provides an operational ‘station,
but also accommodates the Brigade workshops, electric laundry,
boot-makers, tailors’ shop and main stores. In October 1956, a
three-bay station with living quarters was built by the Rural Board
at Bukit Timah. This station is staffed and manned by City Council
personnel. A proposal to build a large new district station at
Thomson Road to protect the northern side of the City including
the Toa Payoh housing development area was abandoned because
the site was affected by the Government’s flood alleviation scheme.
However, an alternative site was being sought.

The Brigade is equipped with the latest fire appliances and has
its own radio network consisting of a main transmitter at Mount
Faber together with 3 fixed and 33 mobile stations. During 1957 the
Brigade responded to 1,632 calls, an increase of 190 calls over the
previous year. The damage by fire to property in the City area
during the year was estimated at $742,454, a decrease of $97,233
on 1956. The Brigade’s Accident Ambulance Service responded to
12,014 calls, an increase of 929 calls over 1956.

There were only two major incidents during the year although
there were many potentially serious ones. Three adults and one
child lost their lives as the result of an aeroplane crash at Tengah
Aerodrome in July. En route to this call, a water tender was
involved in a serious accident with a lorry in which the engine

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PUBLIC UTILITIES 213

overturned and sustained severe damage. Fortunately the crew
suffered minor injuries only, but the passenger and attendant in the
lorry were killed. The other incident was one of the largest fires the
City had suffered for several years and involved a three-storey
building in Cecil Street. Although damage was extensive, there was
considerable return from salvage.

Fire protection plays an important part in materially reducing
the incidence of fire. A total of 23,969 inspections of premises
was made by Brigade personnel during the year. The Fire Protec-
tion Department scrutinises plans of new buildings and advises
industrial and public bodies on fire prevention measures.

AUXILIARY FIRE SERVICE

The Singapore Auxiliary Fire Service, which is controlled and
administered by the Chief Fire Officer of the City Fire Brigade, is
an integral part of the Civil Defence Services of the Colony.

At the end of 1957 the strength of the Service was 18 officers,
68 non-commissioned officers and 628 firemen.

During training sessions, the more experienced members are
placed on standby duties which entail manning appliances ana
turning out at fires under the supervision of the City Fire Brigade.
This enables them to obtain valuable practical experience at actual
incidents. Certain members are selected for Control Room duties
which entail training on V.H-F. radio-telephones, and also at the
City Fire Brigade Headquarters where more practical knowledge is
obtained.

DRAINAGE AND FLOOD RELIEF

In the City area, the work of dredging and cleaning the main
canals and drains goes on continuously, by excavator and with
contract labour. In areas where development schemes are in pro-
gress, the main drainage channels have been widened and deepened
to cope with the increased flow of water from these areas. Widening
of Sungei Whampoa from Thomson Road to Serangoon Road was
completed and good progress was made in widening Alexandra
Canal and Stamford Canal.

Following the publishing in 1956, of the reports of the Drainage
Adviser to Government on major schemes for flood alleviation,
work was started and completed in 1957 on a new bridge over the
Sungei Geylang and work was also started on the lining of a length
of the Sungei Geylang below the bridge. These are the first works
undertaken by the City Council in co-ordination with the Govern-
ment schemes.

A medium in a trance—Straits Times.

214 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

In February the P.W.D. started work on the Geylang Flood
Prevention Scheme. This scheme is designed to alleviate flooding
in a catchment area of 3,500 acres of densely populated and highly
cultivated land in the Geylang/Paya Lebar areas. The first phase
was the construction of a tidal control gate on the estuary of the
Geylang River. The gate was launched in December 1957, and the
earthwork bund will be completed early in 1958.

Three large Venturi culverts were also constructed in 1957.

SEWERAGE

The installation of a modern sewerage system for the City area
began in 1912 and, by the end of 1957, there were 247 miles of
sewers serving a population of about 575,000. The sewered area
is generally very fiat and at a low elevation above sea level. This
necessitates a comprehensive series of pumping stations and at the
end of 1957 twelve such stations were in operation.

Sewage is treated in two main Disposal Works, one situated in
Alexandra Road serving the western and southern parts of the City,
the other in Kim Chuan Road serving the eastern districts. Sludge
from these works, together with nightsoil, is pumped away for final
treatment at the Sludge Disposal works near the mouth of the
Serangoon River. Some of the treated sludge is sold to farmers,
the balance being used to reclaim swampy ground in the vicinity
of the works.

Over the last few years the sewage flow has increased continu-
ously until in 1957 the average daily flow was 21,606,000 gallons.
Both Disposal Works are seriously overloaded. Extensions which
will double the treatment capacity at Kim Chuan Road are now
being carried out, but, due to the limited space available, it has
been decided to abandon the Alexandra Road Works. A new site
was found in Ulu Pandan to the west of the City and contracts for
the construction of a new treatment works were let.

The total length of main and minor sewers constructed during
1957 was 17.61 miles. 2,764 premises were given connections to the
sewerage system bringing the total number of premises served to
28,857.

Areas not served by the sewer system fall in two categories :

(i) some of the outlying residential areas to which public
sewers have not yet been extended. As the provision
of private septic tanks is generally permitted in these
areas, 235 such tanks were in operation during the year

PUBLIC UTILITIES 215

and were maintained by the City Council at the expense
of the owners;

(ii) the central and more congested parts of the City area which
were developed before the advent of a sewerage system.
Here, sewage disposal is by nightsoil buckets collected
by the City Council Cleansing Department and con-
veyed in a modern fieet of lorries to dumping stations
where it is pumped away for disposal together with the
sewage Sludge. However it was felt that, even before
redevelopment takes place, a waterborne system
should be provided for these areas and consequently
the laying of temporary branch sewers through the
houses and under walls and back courts com-
menced. By the end of 1957 the provision of such
sewers within half mile radius of the City Centre had
been completed and work was in progress to include
properties between half and one mile of the centre.

CITY CLEANSING

The City area is divided into three divisions which are sub-
divided into 14 cleansing districts for the purpose of cleansing. The
existing cleanliness of the City of Singapore was maintained during
1957, due to the untiring efforts of the daily rated employees and
staff of the City Cleansing Department.

Every public roadway, street and back lane within the City was
swept daily (except on Sundays) by workmen working with brooms
and handcarts. The street and drain refuse was transported by these
carts to steel covered street bins which when full were collected by
motor lorries fitted with specially designed cranes. The direct col-
lection of 40,923 bins of domestic refuse and 24,909 bins of trade
refuse was made daily (except on Sundays) by a fleet of 28 modern
type collecting motor vehicles and 860 handcarts. The principal
streets were sprinkled daily by three water vans and the numerous
roadside drains were flushed by 36 metered handcarts from street
hydrants.

6,876 summonses were taken against offenders during the year
for depositing refuse, for obstructions and for failing to provide
approved type metal refuse bins. Fines imposed amounted to
$65,936. This contributed to a great extent towards the main-
tenance of the present state of cleanliness in the city.

216 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

128,998 tons of incombustible refuse were transported to a con-
trolled tipping site at Bendemeer Road where it was used to
reclaim swampy land, and 4,267 tons of ashes were used to form
a sealing cover over the incombustible refuse. 22,649 tons of com-
bustible refuse were disposed of at Kolam Ayer Incinerator where
1,132 tons of tin cans were salvaged and baled for sale.

Daily collection of nightsoil from 22,585 latrines in 18,002
houses was undertaken by the department and 6,975,179 pails of
nightsoil were disposed of at the three disposal stations. Fifty-two
public conveniences were cleansed daily by this department.
Twenty-four portable aluminium latrines were hired out by the
department for use at wayang and circus performances on vacant
land for a nominal fee.

Hawkers

There was no radical change in the work of controlling hawkers
during 1957. New methods of approach to the problems of the
hawkers in the city area were considered in the light of the new
Local Government Ordinance and the Council’s Special Hawkers
Committee Report of 1955.

A new method of control by patrol of Hawkers Inspectors in
co-operation with the Police was tried on an experimental basis
in particularly bad areas. Results proved to be very encouraging
but this was not pursued further owing to the uncertainty of the
control of hawkers as the result of the motion in the Council to
delicense hawkers and the shortage of Hawkers Inspectors.

Nine new streets were specified by the Council during the year
bringing the total to 120 specified streets in the city area.

A total of 6,725 licences were issued to itinerant and static
hawkers. In connection with law enforcement, 23,842 arrests were
effected on unlicensed hawkers and 1,925 summonses were taken
against licensed hawkers for breaches of the Hawker By-laws. Fines
imposed amounted to $235,114.

The total revenue derived from hawker control amounted to
$833,271.97.

Markets

The control of 24 public markets, 10 private markets and 3
hawkers shelters was taken over by the new Markets and Hawkers
Department at the beginning of the year.

There has not been any major change in the physical aspects of
the markets since the creation of the new Markets and Hawkers

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PUBLIC UTILITIES 217

Department due again to a lack of Inspectors. Much of the work
had been concentrated in analysing the problem of each of these
markets commencing with the pre-war markets which appeared to
be the most affected.

In this connection, replanning of part or whole of the layout
of the stalls of some of these markets was considered in addition
to the provision of further amenities to both the stallholders and
the customers. :

The first of the Council’s two-storied markets was completed a

Lim Twa Tow Road and opened in August.

A total of 4,023 stall licences in the Council’s markets and
shelters were issued for the year.

In the two City Council’s markets which have provision for the
auctioning of fish, a total of 9,279,8684 katties of fish were auc-
tioned. This total represents approximately the average weight of
fish auctioned in these markets over the past 5 years.

The revenue derived from licence fees, fish auctions, etc. in the
control of markets within the City amounted to $884,085.08.

City Architect

The City Architect and Building Surveyor was responsible for
the design and construction of most of the buildings erected by the
Council. He was also responsible for the maintenance of all build-
ings owned by the Council.

Forty-eight projects valued at $965,105 were completed during
1957 whilst work on another 27 projects valued at $2,679,120 was
commenced. Projects completed during 1957 included a sub-office
and showroom for the City Electricity Department at Aljunied |
Road and the swimming pools at Farrer Park which were opened
by the Chief Minister, the Honourable Mr. Lim Yew Hock, on
22nd February.

The City’s parks, open spaces, children’s playgrounds, swimming
pools, stadia and the Van Kleef Aquarium were under the control
of the City Architect. The new Farrer Park Athlete Centre was
Officially opened on 26th July by H.E. the Governor, Sir Robert
Black, after which the Singapore Amateur Athletic Association
held their annual athletic meet. Work on the City’s fourth public
swimming pool at King George V Park was commenced at the end
of the year.

The functions of the Building Surveyor’s Branch of the City
Architect and Building Surveyor’s Department are given in the
Chapter—Plannmg and Housing.

218 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

PUBLIC WORKS

The expenditure by the P.W.D. for 1957 amounted to $23.05
millions. Of these nearly 7 million dollars were spent on the Edu-
cation Service and 5 millions on the Medical programme. During
the year work was completed on 20 Primary schools, 3 Secondary
schools and 6 extensions to existing schools. The arts and crafts
block at the Teachers’ Training College was also completed. The
rehabilitation of two schools damaged during the riots in October
1956 was completed.

The Mount Vernon Police project was virtually completed during
the year. In addition the following were also completed:

Adult Education Centre; staff quarters and 4 new Ward blocks
at Woodbridge Hospital; Nurses’ Hostel (Phase One) Woodbridge;
alterations to Wards 21 and 23, General Hospital; Community
Centre, Seah Im Road; dining halls and galleys and two 4-storey
blocks of flats for the Royal Malayan Navy; International Airport;
Post Office; 300,000 gallon reinforced concrete reservoir, Tan Tock
Seng Hospital; a 1,000,000 gallon storage reservoir at Woodbridge
Hospital; and 2 jetties at Pulau Tekong Besar.

Work started on the 250,000 gallon reservoir at Kandang
Kerbau Hospital, should be finished early in 1958. In May a
contract was awarded for the construction of a 400-bed hospital
for the Chronic Sick at Thomson Road and work progressed
satisfactorily. The foundation stone for the new National Library
was laid in August. Work has also started on an Animal Husbandry
and Agricultural Station and should be completed in 1958.

Work on the P.W.D. Workshop neared completion and the
workshop should be in operation by the middle of 1958.

ROADS

The dual carriageway between Singapore and the Johore Cause-
way was virtually completed, the only section of work still un-
finished being the construction of the Bukit Timah Village bye-
pass. This work was well in hand. Five pre-stressed concrete
bridges were constructed, three of 25-foot and two of 30-foot span.

Tampenis Road between the 12 and 13} m.s. was re-aligned
to join the Changi Road at the 11} mss.

XV

Communications

INGAPORE is situated at the sea and air cross-roads of South-
East Asia and owes much of its wealth and continuing pros-
perity to this central position. It is a normal port of call for ships
and aeroplanes plying between India, Africa, Europe and Trans-
Atlantic America on the one hand and Australia and Pacific
America on the other. Its deep-water harbour, free of mud and
shoals, makes it the convenient centre for the network of feeder
services that connect it with all its neighbours, and for the road
and rail traffic that carry its imports and exports to and from
the Federation of Malaya.
These communication services are great employers of labour.
More people work in them than in any other category of industry
in Singapore.

SHIPPING

The history of shipping goes back to the foundation of the City
in 1819. In the early days the sailing vessels loaded and unloaded
in the Singapore River and merchants built their warehouses along
the river-side. In the mid-nineteenth century an attempt was made
without great success by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navi-
gation Company and other shipowners to transfer their business to
Tanjong Pagar, where wharves were built. After the openmg of
the Suez Canal in 1869 when sailing-vessels were replaced by steam-
ships, the inter-ocean traffic moved to the wharves built by the
Tanjong Pagar Dock Company. Shipping began to utilise the docks
and wharves, and the Singapore River became, and has remained,
almost entirely an area for discharge by lighters.

Today the Port of Singapore includes Keppel Harbour (the
wharves and godowns of which are controlled by the Singapore
Harbour Board), the oil installations at Pulau Bukom and Pulau

220 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Sebarok owned by the Shell and the Standard-Vacuum Oil Com-
panies respectively, the Western Anchorage, the Eastern Roads
and the Singapore, Rochore, Kallang and other smaller rivers as
far as they are navigable.

Control of shipping throughout the Port is exercised by the
Master Attendant in his capacity as Port Officer under the provi-
sions of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance. He is responsible for
general port conservancy, for the navigational aids in the Port
and its approaches, for the various anchorages within the Port and
the signal stations. The Master Attendant is head of the Marine
Division of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He is respon-
sible for the receipt of ships’ arrival reports and the issue of port
clearances, the Registry of Shipping, the engagement and discharge
of seamen, and the examination of masters and mates. He is also
President of the Pilot Board, Chairman of the Light Dues Board,
Receiver of Wreck and Chairman of various other statutory boards
concerned with seamen.

SHIPS

Singapore is a port of registry for British ships. Local legislation
provides for the licensing of a number of cargo and passenger craft
which ply within the territorial waters of the Colony. Native sailing
craft, which carry cargoes between Malayan and Indonesian ports,
and fishing vessels are also licensed locally, the majority of them
being owned by Chinese residents in Singapore.

SHIPS REGISTERED AND LICENSED AT SINGAPORE ON 31ST DECEMBER, 1957
No. of Net
British Ships ships Tonnage

Permanent Registry (under Part I of the Merchant
Shipping Act, 1894):

Steam... a oer od 19 15,086

Motor ... sae oa ee 158 60,718

Sailing... “ae aes ae 87 15,340
Terminable Registry (under section 90 of the Act):

Steam... fag sie see 2 39

Motor... ae sa dad 79 1,056

Sailing... one a a 13 601

No. of Gross

Licensed Vessels ships Tonnage

Sailing Ships (not exceeding 200 gross tons each) 292 21,670

Cargo Boats (not exceeding 100 tons gross each)... 2,376 52,794

Passenger Boats (not exceeding 100 tons gross each) 146 364

Fishing Vessels (no limit of size)... we 2,165 3,418

SHIPPING 221

The arrival of ships must be reported to the Port Office of the
Marine Division. Ships may not leave the Port without a clearance
from the same office.

Sixty-nine ships of the Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy and
Royal Malayan Navy and 64 warships and fleet auxiliaries of other
nations visited the Port in 1957.

MOVEMENT OF MERCHANT SHIPS IN 1957

Total tonnage
(Millions of
tons net: entry
Entered Cleared and clearance

counted as
separate
transactions)
Foreign-going ships over 75 tons .- 8,320 8,290 62.32
Home-trade ships over 75 tons .. 1,598 1,582 2.05
Local-trade ships over 75 tons ae 1,716 1,738 .16
Ships under 75 tons and native craft oe
alltonnages .. . 8,407 8,539 71
Total .. 20,041 20,149 66.25

Shipping Services

Frequent passenger and cargo services are maintained by many
ship owners to all parts of the world. Sixty-six shipping lines main-
tain agencies in Singapore, and the Far East Freight Conference
maintains a Secretariat. Two ships were engaged in carrying pil-
grims from Singapore and the Federation of Malaya to Jeddah and
return.

The largest of the local companies is the Straits Steamship Com-
pany founded in 1890 and owning, with its associates, 54 ships.
Regular passenger and freight services are operated by this and
other local Companies to Burma, Indonesia, Thailand, Sarawak,
North Borneo and the Federation of Malaya. The Malayan Steve-
doring and Transportation Company operates a fleet of tugs and
sea-going lighters.

CREWS

The local laws relating to seamen are basically the same as in
other parts of the British Commonwealth, but there are many
modifications to suit the very mixed seafaring population of the
Colony. It is now estimated that there are approximately 7,500

222 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Singapore seamen employed at any one time. Crews are signed on
and off Articles of ships in the Shipping Office of the Marine
Division. The Shipping Office is also responsible for ensuring that
ships are sufficiently manned under the law with certificated officers
and for various other matters incidental to the clearance of ships
from port and to the transit of seafarers. Nineteen stranded Singa-
pore seamen were returned to Singapore. Twenty-six distressed
British seamen were received and repatriated to various Common-
wealth ports or found employment.

Shipping Office

1954 1955 1956 1957

Articles opened _... 482 427 $09 526
Seamen signed on:

European 1,336 1,401 1,522 1,399

Asian 15,681 14,925 12,671 14,520
Seamen signed off:

European 1,567 1,512 1,473 1,390

Asian 14,486 14,909 12,770 14,631

Seamen’s Registration Bureau

The Seamen’s Registry Board Ordinance which was brought into
force in October 1957, established a new system of regulating the
registration and selection for engagement of seamen. The Seamen’s
Registry Board constituted on 15th October, 1957, and consisting
of shipowners’, unions’ and Government representatives with an
independent Chairman, expects to be in a position to take over
the functions of the Seamen’s Registration Bureau in the middle
of 1958.

Number on the Register

excluding those untraceable
on 31st December

Vacancies filled

Chinese
Malays
Others. .

Total

1954 1955 1956

. 12,225 12,104 13,273

3,998 3,841 3,649
729, «3712 = 802

. 16,952 16,657. 17,2724

1957 1954 1955 1956 1957
13,803* 4,585 4,516 3,989 4,634
4,071 3,134 2,123 1,827 1,898

824 119 125 102 83

18,698 7,838 6,764 5,918 6,617

* Includes 3,726 seamen classified as Chinchews’ and Compradores’ staff.

SHIPPING 223

Examination of Deck and Engineer Officers

The certificates issued to qualified Deck and Engineer Officers
by the Minister for Commerce and Industry have international
recognition. Arrangements exist with the Ministry of Transport and
Civil Aviation in the United Kingdom for ensuring strict uniformity
between Colony certificates of Imperial validity and those issued
elsewhere in the Commonwealth. Examinations are conducted by
the Marine Division for deck grades and by the Marine Surveys
Division for engine room grades.

Examination conducted Certificate issued
1954 1955 1956 1957 1954 1955 1956 1957

Internationally valid certificates:
Foreign-going Masters and
Mates os A

Engineers a -. SL 49 30 36 10 Ii 3
Local certificates:

Deck grades a3 .. 319 250 208 89° 123 90 61 45*

Engine room grades .. 215 236 217 327 180 145 144 110

* Examinations temporarily suspended from May 1957 due to shortage
of staff in the Marine Division.

Ship Survey

The safety and load-line requirements in Singapore are based on
the International Conventions of 1929, 1930 and 1948, locally
interpreted in an exceedingly complex set of rules, which ensure
that all passenger ships and cargo vessels of over 500 tons gross
on international voyages in Colony waters are surveyed and certi-
ficated to the same standards as in the world’s leading maritime
states. Smaller vessels outside the scope of these conventions are
similarly treated as far as is practicable.

There are also two international agreements of more limited
validity: the Simla Rules of 1931 which apply to ships carrying
unberthed passengers between Singapore, Ceylon, Hong Kong,
India and Indonesia; and agreements with Thailand, Indonesia,
and Indo-China made in 1935 at the instance of the Straits Settle-
ments Government and applying to load-line ships trading between
these countries.

Statutory surveys in the Colony are undertaken by the Marine
Surveys Division of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and
vary in extent from an exhaustive and specialised inspection of the
entire structure, machinery and equipment, in drydock and afloat,

224 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

to the examination of some minor component. From a small begin-
ning in 1861 when a surveyor was appointed primarily for the
tonnage measurement of ships, the present department has grown
to meet the needs of the increasingly rigorous international safety
requirements.

There are now eight surveyors on the establishment working
under the direction of the Surveyor-General of Ships.

Other Responsibilities

In addition to survey work, the Marine Division is also respon-
sible for examining ships’ engineers and engine drivers for
certificates of competency, for the technical maintenance of all
Government owned vessels, for professional advice to Government
departments and for supervising the construction and repair in
Singapore of all vessels owned by the Governments of the Colony,
the Federation of Malaya and other Governments and bodies who
Fequire the services of the Division.

SHIP SURVEYS AND INSPECTIONS, 1957

Passenger and Safety Certificates a dee 56
Safety Equipment Certificates ee ac 128
Load-line Certificates see sek Sas 75
Bottom Certificates Se at 15
Certificates of Survey for Tonnage 46
Life saving appliances, Lifeboats, Buoyant Apparatus 56
Lights and sound signals aia he 215
Radiotelegraphy and aia ai Certificates ate 279
Petroleum Certificates ¥ we se 85
Miscellaneous Safety Surveys 240

Minor Surveys and Inspections (Government Vessels) 900

Signal Stations

The two signal stations situated at Mount Faber and Tanjong
Kubu Belayar handled a record number of 3,892 visual signal
messages and 24,074 arrival and departure reports were passed
to shipowners, agents and various port authorities.

The number of subscribers to the Government Signal Service
increased to 45 during the year.

Navigational Aids

The Master Attendant has jurisdiction over four lighthouses
within Port Limits, Horsburgh Lighthouse situated 33 miles to
the East of Singapore and Pulau Pisang Lighthouse 43 miles to
the West.

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SHIPPING 225

During the year two wreck buoys were removed after the removal
of the Spirilla and Buffalo wrecks. The final phase of the change-
over of the buoyage system was completed in October when new
anchorage areas were brought into force. Eight light buoys, 17
unlit buoys, 18 light beacons and 33 unlit beacons were on station
at the end of the year.

Lighthouse and beacon structures were maintained by the Public
Works Department throughout the year.

Routine weather forecasts for the South China Sea and the
Straits of Malacca are broadcast by the Malayan Meteorological
Service twice daily and when requested. Daily Fleet Synoptic
Broadcasts are also prepared.

In accordance with the provisions of International Conventions
for the Safety of Life at Sea, ships in local waters sent 8,308
weather reports during the year to the Meteorological Service
through the coast radio stations at Penang and Singapore. Seven-
teen specially selected ships based on Singapore and equipped with
meteorological instruments made routine meteorological observa-
tions and maintained weather logs. One of these ships, M.V.
Kimanis, performed such outstanding meteorological work that an
“Excellence Award” was presented to the ship on 27th November,

1957, by the Minister for Communications and Works on behalf
of the Singapore Government. Specially selected ships from other
countries were visited for instrument check and meteorological
advice while in port by a liaison officer of the Malayan Meteoro-
logical Service.

The radio-telephone equipment by which communication is made
with the Port Office is provided and maintained by the Director
of Telecommunications. Meteorological messages, navigational
warnings, urgent, safety and distress messages, to and from ships
at sea, are handled by the Singapore Radio Coast Station, inter-
national call sign VPW, operated by the Telecommunications
Department, which also issues licences for radio stations on board
ships registered in Singapore and certificates of proficiency for
radio-telegraph and radio-telephone operators.

During the year 89 Ship Station Licences and 133 Radio
Operator’s Certificates were issued. Radio installations on board
Ship Stations were regularly examined in accordance with the
International Radio Convention and the Singapore Merchant
Shipping Rules and 279 certificates of international validity were
issued by the Surveyor-General of Ships with the assistance of the

226 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Radio Officers of the Telecommunications Department. 78 of
these ships were registered in the United Kingdom, 124 were of
foreign registry and 77 were of local registry.

Pilotage is not compulsory in Singapore but is generally used
owing to the difficulties of berthing in a congested harbour with
strong tides.

Light Dues Board

On the Ist March, 1957, the Light Dues Ordinance, 1957 (No. 6
of 1957), was brought into force. It provides for the establishment
of a Light Dues Board to collect light dues, and establish a Light
Dues Fund to be used for the maintenance and improvement of
navigational aids in the Colony. The collection of light dues com-
menced on Ist August, 1957, and the total collection as at 31st
December, 1957, was $220,462.59.

Hydrographic Surveys

During January and February, the berths at Pulau Sebarok oil
installation were surveyed to determine depths in the vicinity. A
shoal was discovered and, during the year, explosives were used
to increase the depths. In December a large scale survey was made
to a distance of approximately 600 feet from the berthing line at
Pulau Bukom in order to ascertain depths suitable for the berthing
of super-tankers. During the year a survey was carried out after
the salvage of the wreck Spirella to verify that all parts of the
wreck had been removed satisfactorily. Searches were also carried
out over reported minor wrecks.

Shipping Casualties

A total of 56 Shipping Casualties were reported during the year.
Two preliminary Enquiries under the Merchant Shipping Ordin-
ance were held as detailed hereunder :

1. On 23rd April, 1957, into the presumed total loss, together
with all the members of the crew, of the M.v. Landak,
Official Number 196156, Port of Registry, Singapore.

2. On 3rd June, 1957, into the conduct of a Certificated
Officer whilst on board a British vessel.

A Court of Investigation was held at the Conference Room of
the Department of Information Services from 23rd to the 27th
September, 1957, to enquire into the circumstances leading to the

SHIPPING 227

presumed total loss, with all the members of the crew, of the M.Vv.
Landak whilst on a voyage from Jesselton to Singapore.

Fires
* A minor fire occurred aboard the M.V. Itinda on 13th July, 1957.

Cargo Inspection

The safe transport by sea of dangerous cargoes, including petrol-
eum and explosives, is a matter of great importance to a busy port.
Technical assistance to ensure safety is provided by the Inspectorate
of Dangerous Materials. In 1957, almost 1,000 ships were tested for
inflammable or toxic vapours. The normal laboratory testing of
dangerous petroleum and explosives, prior to import, was continued
during the year.

The Singapore Harbour Board frequently asked for technical
data concerning consignments which were potential hazards. Nor-
mally this data can be supplied at short notice from the scientific
library of the Department.

Nautical School

The Nautical School previously operated under the auspices of
the Education Department was on Ist January, 1957, transferred
to the newly formed Nautical Department of the Singapore Poly-
technic.

The number of students attended in 1957 were as follows:

Study Course No. Study Course No.
Master Foreign Going 4 Ist ee Wireless ee
| phist ; 3
Ist Mate Foreign Going ... 3
2nd Class Wireless ss
2nd Mate Foreign Going ... 3 phist 16
Mate Home Trade 3 Restricted ca ea
Operator 4
2nd Class Engineer Part A... 2

SEAMEN’S WELFARE

The Seafarers’ Welfare Board was constituted under the Sea-
farers’ Welfare Board Ordinance, 1956 (No. 34 of 1956) on 19th
February, 1957, and, having taken over the administration of the
Singapore Mercantile Marine Fund from the Singapore Mercantile
Marine Fund Committee, continued the Committee’s welfare

228 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

activities on behalf of seamen. During the year, donations were
made as follows:

$ Cc.

Sailors’ homes, charitable institutions and missions $6,564 50

Relief to aged seafarers and their dependants... 154,562 73

Nautical School ae Ses $0,000 00
Singapore Asian Seamen’s Club (Building contribu-

tions) see 100,000 00

At the end of the year the building of the Asian Seamen’s Club
was nearing completion. This club, costing $1.8 million will be the
finest in the Far East and it is hoped that it will serve as a fitting
tribute to the contribution of Asian seafarers to the prosperity of
the Colony.

Seamen’s Industrial Relations

During 1957, the major seamen’s unions working through the
Seamen’s Council of Action concluded three agreements with the
Singapore Maritime Employers’ Federation. The most important
was that covering conditions of work and minimum wages in the
Home and Local Trades, obtained jointly by the Malayan National
Seamen’s Union, the Malayasian Mariners’ Union, the Malay Sea-
men’s Union and the Singapore Chinese Seafarers’ Association.
The Malayasian Ship Officers’ Union concluded an agreement with
the Singapore Maritime Employers’ Federation in respect of officers
in the Home and Local Trades. The Malay Seamen’s Union
obtained an agreement to cover harbour craft workers.

During the major part of 1957, the Seamen’s Unions were aided
by Mr. J. F. Soares, Director of the Asian Office of the Inter-
national Transport Workers’ Federation, who gave advice and help
whenever needed. At the end of the year, seamen’s representatives
on the Seamen’s Registration Board, Seafarers’ Welfare Board and
Asian Seamen’s Club Committee were participating in the formu-
lation of policy for their working conditions and welfare.

THE SINGAPORE HARBOUR BOARD

Traffic Department

Cargo (including coal and fuel oil) handled at The Singapore
Harbour Board wharves during the year ended 31st December,
1957, amounted to 5,586,407 tons, representing a decrease of 80,571]
tons or 1.425 per cent compared with the previous year. Excluding
coal and fuel oil, the decrease was 258,978 tons or 6.195 per cent.

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SHIPPING 229

Altogether 3,426 vessels, with an aggregate registered tonnage of
10,657,045 tons nett, berthed alongside the wharves. Although the.
total number of vessels was 94 fewer than in 1956, the nett regis-
tered tonnage was 295,883 tons in excess. Berths were always fully
occupied.

During the year, 36 fork-lift trucks were added to the Board’s.
fieet of mechanical equipment, making a total of 145 of these.
machines, whilst a more satisfactory type of stillage was designed
for use with the electric elevating platform trucks. 200 of the new
type stillages were brought into use.

The construction at Godowns 42/43 of the Passenger Terminal,.
which includes a Customs Examination Hall, was completed, with
an extensive car park at the rear allowing road exit from Gate 1.

Hard-standing to facilitate the storage of cargo in the open by
mechanical equipment was completed in the areas between Go--
downs 29/30 and 31/32, the eastern side of the Empire Dock
Entrance, and to the south of the mechanical equipment shed at:
the rear of Godowns 21/22.

Construction work on the extension of the 18” bulk fuel and
diesel oil lines to Godowns 38/39 was commenced and it is anti-
cipated that this project will be completed in early 1958. Two.
berths will then be equipped for the rapid discharge of tankers.

Godown 19 was reconstructed and work commenced on the:
reconstruction of Godowns 21/22. The new sheds double the area.
of covered storage at both berths. The work of joining the North
Wall Empire Dock jetties into a continuous wharf was completed..
There was a constant demand for the Board’s warehouse storage:
accommodation, both covered and open. An additional coconut:
oil storage tank was erected at the rear of Godowns 13/16.

The Fire Brigade answered 123 calls during the year. A mobile:
Rover Gas Turbine Fire Pump was put into commission in August
and the installation of the Carter Micro Fire Alarm System at the.
Tanjong Pagar Station was nearing completion at the end of the:
year.

Dockyard Department

The Dockyards continued to be extremely busy and all six:
graving docks were kept fully occupied. 409 ships, with a total
tonnage of 1,334,767 gross tons, including a 42,000 d.w. ton tanker,,.
being the largest vessel of this type ever docked by the Board, were-
drydocked during the year. 24 vessels were slipped. The Singapore:

230 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Slipway and Engineering Co. Limited, the Board’s subsidiary com-
pany at Tanjong Rhu, also worked to full capacity and slipped
143 vessels.

Demand for the Board’s drydock and ship repair facilities con-
tinued to exceed the facilities available, notwithstanding the com-
missioning of the Queen’s Dock at the end of 1956, and full employ-
ment was provided for an increasingly large labour force which
at the end of the year numbered nearly 3,000 men.

The prototype Penang Ferry was completed and handed over to
the Penang Port Commission in April 1957.

The steel position at the beginning of the year became parti-
cularly difficult, making it necessary to purchase some 3,000 tons
of American ship quality plates in order to maintain adequate
stocks for the larger tonnages of steel being worked.

A new 10-ton Butters Electric Travelling Monotower Crane was
erected on the west side of the King’s Dock to supplement the
existing crane equipment at that graving dock. Craneage was
further improved by the purchase of a new 5-ton Diesel Loco
Crane for the west side of the Queen’s Dock and a new 10-ton
Diesel Mobile Crane for general use throughout the Keppel Har-
bour Dockyard.

With the installation of a new 100-ton Testing Machine for
cargo gear and anchor cable in a new Test House, built as an
annexe to the Machine Shop at Keppel Harbour, the heavier cargo
gear common to the modern fast cargo vessel can now be tested.

Electrical Department

The total quantity of electrical energy purchased and distributed
over the Board’s system during 1957 amounted to 14,010,990
B.O.T. units and exceeded the previous record by 5.88 per cent.
No electrical energy was generated in the Board’s Power Station
during this period but the station has been maintained in a state
of readiness against emergencies.

A new 400-line Private Automatic Branch Telephone Exchange
was built and installed with the necessary cables. The number of
external lines was increased from 28 to 40, and the changeover of
telephone traffic from the old to the new exchange was made
smoothly and without any interruption to the service.
~ A new 130 KW static mercury arc rectifier was installed at Main
Wharf, Keppel Harbour Sub-Station for D.C. supply to ships, and
a new switchboard made for distribution. A new switchboard for
D.C. distribution was also made and installed at King’s Dock Mid-
Sub-station and new D.C. points provided on both sides of King’s

SHIPPING 231

Dock. A Dhiesel-powered Portal crane in Keppel Harbour was
equipped with electric motors and controls in substitution for the
original Diesel engine and mechanical controls. The electrical
installation of a 10-ton Monotower crane for the King’s Dock was
completed.

Work was completed on the new fire alarm system for the Wharf
and Tanjong Pagar Dockyard areas. Main Wharf Sub-station high
tension switchgear was overhauled and modifications made for
D.C. Trip gear. The Electrical Workshop and Ship Repair staff
continued to be fully employed throughout the year.

Work in connection with the periodic survey of a number of
vessels, including several turbo-electrically propelled tankers, was
carried out during the year. Navigation aids serviced during the
year included 230 Gyro Compasses, 32 Automatic Gyro Pilots and
24 radar sets.

Civil Engineering Department

The Department continued to be fully employed during the year.
Concrete hard-standing for the storage of cargo in the open was
extended by a further 102,645 feet super. Wharf Transit Shed,
Godown 19, was reconstructed, with a floor area of 39,000 feet
super.

The new Passenger Terminal and Customs Hall at Godowns
Nos. 42/3 was completed. Road improvement works were carried
out at Main Entrance Road, leading to Wharf Gate 2, and at East
Wharf Road, leading to Wharf Gate 1 and new “In” and “Out”
Gates constructed. A new Wharf roadway leading from Main
Wharf at the rear of the Passenger Terminal Car Park to Gate
No. 1 and a new rail track linking Main Wharf and East Wharf
were laid. The ten 40-foot Breasting-off jetties at North Wall,
Empire Dock, were reconstructed to form a continuous wharf 940
feet in length.

Work completed for the Dockyard Department at Tanjong Pagar
included the construction of a new Dock Store, a new access road-
way and gate, together with a new Time Office. In addition to
general maintenance of the Board’s property and estates, 40 flats
for the Board’s Labourers and 32 flats for its Clerical Staff were
built, and a new roadway, Scott’s Green Road, was laid at Tanjong
Pagar.

Personnel and Welfare Department

During the year, there was a daily average of 27 patients in the
Board’s Sick Bay. In addition to the two Dispensaries—one at

932 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

‘Tanjong Pagar and the other at Keppel Harbour Dockyard—the
Board continued to operate three dispensaries in its main housing
«states for the treatment of employees’ wives and children. These
dealt with 5,083 cases during the year. Meals supplied by the
Central Kitchen to the waterside labour force averaged 15,715
per day.

The Singapore Harbour Board Reserve

The strength of the Reserve as at 31st December, 1957, was 607.
‘This figure included 143 members of a non-active Company who,
although for family reasons unable to continue regular attend-
ance at parades, elected to remain with the Reserve after com-
pleting a full course of training. Information in greater detail is
given in Chapter XVII.

Marine and Port Police

The Marine Division of the Singapore Police Force is responsible
for policing the islands and waters within the territorial limits of
the Colony. It also enforces the laws relating to the Port. This
Division, with its headquarters at Cavanagh Bridge at the mouth
of the Singapore River, has sub-stations at Tanjong Kling, Pulau
Ubin and Pulau Tekong; boat stations at Clifford Pier, Pulau
Tekong, and Woodlands; and other smaller bases and five Village
‘Constable Posts on the islands.

In 1957, it operated 36 launches of between 30 and 48 feet and
34 smaller miscellaneous craft. 39 of its craft were equipped with
Radio communications to the Marine Operations Room at
Cavanagh Bridge.

The Marine Division also operated 5 Search Light posts on the
Straits of Johore to enforce a curfew in support of the anti-terrorist
campaign in Malaya. These posts, manned by members of the
Special Constabulary, kept 10 search lights burning for an average
of 102 hours every night throughout the year.

The functions of the Division are to patrol the harbour area,
territorial waters and, in conjunction with the Johore Marine Police,
the Straits of Johore, to maintain law and order and to prevent
intrusion. It has a small crime branch for dealing with petty
offences in the harbour and river.

The prevention of crime on land is the duty of the Colony Police
Force, but within its own precincts the Singapore Harbour Board
is authorised to operate its own Police Force. Routine activities of
the Force continued to be satisfactorily maintained during 1957;
the authorised strength remaining at 338 all ranks. The actual

CIVIL AVIATION 233

strength at 31st December, 1957, however, was 323. 927 applica-
tions were received for enrolment in the Force and 24 men were
recruited. A total of 22 other Ranks left the Force for various
reasons during the year.

The number of Police Reports recorded and covering all types
of occurrences totalled 3,125. There were 392 reports of offences
against property, whilst the number of reports classified as theft
was 358. The total value of property involved in these reports was
$10,810.43 of which property valued at $1,823.22 was recovered.
‘There were 277 reports of theft from the Board’s transit godowns,
20 from open storage, 31 from vessels and 30 from other places
within the Division.

The Marine Patrol carried out 6,926 checks on lighters and small
craft along the seaward frontages of the Board’s premises, and the
identity documents of 6,739 persons working or travelling on these
vessels were examined.

A total of 3,388 sea-going vessels were visited during the year
by the officer supervising the control of arms, explosive and dan-
gerous cargo, and some 450 man hours were expended guarding
arms and explosives insecurely stored on vessels lying alongside
the wharves.

Quarantine Control

Quarantine control is enforced by the Port Health Office of the
Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Customs, Immigration
and Marine Departments. The quarantine station in St. John’s
Island, 3 miles south of Singapore, can accommodate 1,200 pas-
sengers from ships from infected ports.

CIVIL AVIATION

Air traffic through Singapore reached an all-time record in 1957,
increasing by more than 25 per cent over the 1956 figures. A total
- Of 23,455 aircraft movements were recorded at the Singapore Air-
port at Paya Lebar in 1957, compared with 18,322 in 1956. The
number of passengers as well as the volume of freight and mail
handled during 1957 also increased appreciably as the following
figures show:

1956 1957
Aircraft (total movements) = .-» 18,332 23,455
Passengers (total arrivals, departures and transit) 234,000 254,038
Freight (thousands of kilos) oe er 5,767 5,953

Mail (thousands of kilos) ae we 1,825 1,990

234 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Efficient services for the major international airline operators
were maintained on a 24-hour basis and no major accidents
occurred in 1957. Air services on the major international routes
were operated by British Overseas Airways Corporation and
Qantas Empire Airways between the United Kingdom and
Australia, by Royal Dutch Airlines between Europe and Australia,
and by Pan-American Airways between Singapore and the United
States via Saigon and the Philippines. Regular services by Air
India International, Union of Burma Airways, Japan Ailirlines,
Garuda Indonesian Airways, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific Air-
ways, Airwork, Skyways, Air Laos and Air Ceylon continued
throughout the year. Malayan Airways, operating throughout the
Malaya/Borneo Region, maintained its high standard of punctua-
lity and its accident free record in another successful year of
operation.

From the economic and operational points of view, it was agreed
that one main airline in all the five territories in the Malaya/ Borneo
Region should serve all five and be supported by them. This would
be supplemented in Borneo by a local airline whose operations in
the Borneo area would be conducted in close association with
Malayan Airways.

As a result of negotiations during the year, Malayan Airways
Ltd. was re-organised to provide for participation by the five
Governments in the operations of the Company, through the
appointment on the Board of directors representing the Federation
of Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo, Sarawak and Brunei.

The five Governments, together with B.O.A.C. and Qantas Em-
pire Airways, now actively participate in and control the recon-
stituted Malayan Airways. The discussions and the proposals
which resulted from them took account of the interests of all
concerned and of the travelling public.

Aircraft and Air-crews

To ensure conformity with the international standards and prac-
tices laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation
and compliance with the Civil Aviation Acts, appropriate amend-
ments were made to the Air Navigation Orders and Regulations
in force in the Colony.

The Civil Aviation licensing section was responsible for the
registration of aircraft, for the issue and renewal of air-crew
licences and for the conduct at regular intervals of examinations
for professional pilots the papers for which are prepared and

CIVIL AVIATION 235

marked by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation in London.
Examinations for private pilots in Air Legislation are set and
marked by the Licensing Section.

AIR-CREW LICENSING IN 1957

Total
Issue Renewals Registered

Certificate of Registration ... ot 3 — 25
Student Pilots’ Licence ae or, 43 3 186
Private Pilots’ Licence 28 3 127
Commercial Pilots’ Licence ae 2 44 46
Senior Commercial Pilots’ Licence _.... 2 4 1]
Airline Transport Pilots’ Licence 4 72 50
Flight Navigators’ Licence ... _ — 4
Flight Engineers’ Licence ... 1 — 2
General Flight Radio Beep ony Opera:

tors’ Licence ... 2 — 61
Restricted Flight Radio Telephony

Operators’ Licence 21 4 42
First Class Flight Radio Telephony

Operators’ Licence — ] 4
Aircraft Radio Maintenance = Bngincery

Licence ] — 2

Air Safety

The Airways and Advisory route systems operated satisfactorily
and with little delay to aircraft. There were several Special Tem-
porary Airways set up in late August and early September to
provide adequate protection for the aircraft carrying the Duke of
Gloucester on a tour of Malaya during his official visit for the
Independence of Malaya celebrations.

Navigational aids consisted mainly of non-directional radio-
beacons. The installation of a ‘Visual Omni-Range’ on Lazarous
Island was scheduled for completion in 1958.

The special procedures made necessary by military aircraft flying
over Singapore and by the close proximity of military airfields,
were improved and close co-operation with the Royal Air Force
-was maintained. Much preparatory work was carried out with the
object of changing the-:status of a number of advisory route sections
to airways, increasing the vertical extends of certain existing air-
ways and extending some of the airways to points well into the
Federation of Malaya. These changes would provide greater protec-
tion to aircraft, particularly on taking off and landing.

236 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Airline Operations

During 1957 a great proportion of flights took place at night
mainly because Equipped Cloud-detecting Radar has eliminated
the risk of aircraft entering a dangerous cloud formation without
warning. Added to the good night-landing facilities at Singapore
Airport, airlines could offer faster schedules by cutting out the over-
night stop previously considered essential for safe operations in
these latitudes.

Communications and Weather Services

The Telecommunications Department operates the Aeronautical
Telecommunications Service which comprises :

(a) Communication with aircraft in flight within the inter-
nationally allocated zone known as the Singapore Flight
Information Region. Radio-telegraph and _ radio-
telephone circuits were provided and maintained for this
purpose.

(b) Point-to-point communication within the Aeronautical
Fixed Telecommunication Network, which was by
radio-teletype through Bangkok, Djakarta, and Sydney,
and by radio-telegraphy through Labuan, Kuching,
Colombo, Madras, and Cocos Island to serve any part
of the world interlinked by airline services. To assist in
the speeding up of traffic, perforator and re-perforator
equipment has been installed with a tape factory for
processing tapes bearing multiple addresses for simul-
taneous automatic transmissions. Monitoring equipment
has also been installed.

(c) Provision and maintenance of aero-navigational aids equip-
ment such as radio beacons, and distance measuring and
direction finding equipment.

The number of messages handled in 1957 for the Air Traffic
Control and Airline Operating Agencies on all the above channels
was approximately 767,700, representing an increase of 52 per
cent over the 1956 figure, and averaging to about 2,100 per day.

Meteorological information is supplied by the Malayan Meteoro-
logical Service which maintains Forecast Offices at the international
airports of Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. This information is
obtained from a network of meteorological stations extending from
Japan to the Gulf of Oman in the North and from Central Australia
to Mauritius in the South. Forecasts and Weather Reports are

CIVIL AVIATION 237

supplied in accordance with international procedures to aircraft
passmg through the Singapore Flight Information Region. A con-
tinuous watch is maintained on weather conditions along all routes
in this Region and meteorological information is broadcast at half-
hourly intervals all day and every day.

Crash and Rescue Services

The Airport Fire Service is housed in a building designed in the
light of the latest technical knowledge. The equipment is modern
and in excess of the minimum requirements recommended by the
International Civil Aviation Organisation. With regular training, a
high standard of efficiency was maintained. The fire services were
called out on the following 174 occasions :

(a) Airport Emergency Standby ...
(6) Special Services ec
(c) Visibility Standby ...

(d) Local Standby

(e) Aircraft Crash (Fire)

(f) Aircraft Crash (No Fire)

(g) Domestic Fires

lon 1 Sue

Total ... 174

The crash involved a Hermes aircraft which over-ran the run-
way and stopway, coming to rest in a deep depression, approxi-
mately 600 feet from the threshold. As a result of the speedy
arrival and efficient action of the Airport Fire Service, all on
board were evacuated without injury. The aircraft was recovered
without further damage and, after repairs, it was returned to normal
flying. |

Air Traffic Control

_ The Aerodrome Control Service ensures a safe, orderly and
smooth flow of Air Traffic within the manceuvring area of the Air-
port (except the marshalling area) and also within the Singapore
Control Zone. To encourage Club flying and training activities,
local regulations for the movement of the light training aircraft
were issued. In 1957, 9,000 light aircraft movements were recorded
without difficulty for the Singapore Flying Club. The completion
of the parallel taxi track at the northern end of the air strip assisted
traffic control and assisted the flow of traffic.

238 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Air Registration Board

The Air Registration Board is responsible to the Director of
Civil Aviation for the duties of aircraft surveyors which include
the issue and renewal of Certificates of Airworthiness and licences
for aircraft maintenance engineers. The figures for 1957 were as
follows :

Inspection of Aircraft prior to renewal of Certificate of

Airworthiness oF 35
Inspection of Aircraft ed to tension of Certificate of
Airworthiness 9

Validation of United Kingdom Certificate of ‘Airwonhiiess 3

Issue and Renewal of Aijircraft Maintenance Engineers
Licence ga sat 81

Inspection of coniponents of Hietiies after each
Airport Buildings

With the decision to proceed with the new Terminal Building,
intensive planning of the details was begun by the Civil Aviation
and other associated Departments through special committees and
working parties, meetings with the Airline Operators Committee
and with space allocation committees, and many inter-departmental
conferences. Information from other countries on the design of Air-
port Building and, particularly, of Airport Control Towers, was
fully used.

Extensive planning work continued on the proposed Operational
Block and Passenger Handling Building throughout the year and
the many requirements of all users of these buildings were co-
ordinated.

Terminal Building

Phase I of the Permanent Terminal Building, consisting of a Post
Office and Sorting Office, was completed and handed over to the
Director of Posts, at the end of the year.

Design works on certain other Airport projects were, however,
subjected to certain delays beyond the control of the Department,
but by the end of the year, the drawings for Phase II (Operational
Block) were almost complete.

Hangar Accommodation

Half of Hangar ‘A’ from Old Kallang Airport was demolished
and re-erected at Singapore Airport, where it is known as Hangar
No. 5. The Hangar was considerably modified during erection and
its previous clear span of 152 ft. 6 in. was increased to 168 ft. 9 in.

CIVIL AVIATION 239

in order to accommodate the largest aircraft using the Airport.
Similarly the height of the hangar was increased on re-erection in
order to accommodate the high tail-fin of the Bristol Britannia
aircraft.

A 2-storey reinforced concrete Annexe of 9,150 sq. ft. total floor
area to provide necessary office and workshop accommodation for
the operation of the hangars, attached toilet accommodation and
an electrical switch room were added to the hangar.

Airport Planning

The work of the International Civil Aviation Organisation Jet
Operations Requirements Panel was closely studied, particularly on
matters of aircraft refuelling, passenger handling facilities, and
requirements for runways, taxi-tracks and apron, air traffic con-
trol and meteorology.

Colombo Plan Aid

Through the generous loan of an HT.2 Trainer by the Govern-
ment of India and the secondment of the services of a Pilot Instruc-
tor, six local youths were trained as private pilots. This provided
a strong stimulus for private flying and the Royal Singapore
Flying Club.

A senior local officer of the Department was being trained in
1957 in Australia in all branches of the Department of Civil Avia-
tion.

Meteorological Services

The Malayan Meteorological Service is financed jointly by the
Governments of the Colony of Singapore and the Federation of
Malaya. It maintains Forecast Offices at Singapore and Kuala
Lumpur Airports, 11 first order Meteorological Stations, 43 Auxi-
liary Stations and an Upper Air Observatory.

The main function of the Service is the provision of meteoro-
logical information for safe and efficient air navigation. During
the year, 44,903 forecasts for aviation and 3,954 forecasts for ship-
ping and the general public were issued.

The Headquarters in Singapore continued to provide climato-
logical statistics on request to commercial, legal, industrial and
research organisations, to Government Departments and the Press.
Monthly and Annual Abstracts of Observations were published.

The radio equipment, its maintenance and the operation of re-
ception and broadcast services for the collection and the inter-
change of meteorological information with other meteorological

240 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

centres in the neighbouring countries, including Australia, are
provided by the Telecommunications Department. The total
number of messages handled during the year was approximately
797,600. The Department also maintained the Radar equipment
used for meteorological upper air investigation.

Meteorological Research

Research into the properties of the low latitude upper atmosphere
continued with the measurement of upper winds twice daily and
upper air temperatures, humidities and pressures once daily
throughout the year, to heights averaging 56—60,000 feet at the
Upper Air Observatory, Singapore. The cost of the Station was
jointly borne by the Governments of Malaya, Singapore and British
Borneo.

RAILWAYS

The Singapore Railway Station which was built in 1932, is
located at Keppel Road and approximately 16 miles of the Malayan
Railway lie within the Colony of Singapore. The Railway Station
building which is outstanding for its architectural features, contains
an up-to-date hotel with air-conditioned rooms. There is a Goods
Depét with covered and open space for dealing with freight which
is conveyed to and from the Federation. A branch line links the
Malayan Railway with the Singapore Harbour Board’s lines, serv-
ing wharves, godowns and latex and palm oil installations in the
port area.

The main line of the Malayan Railway runs from Singapore to
Kuala Lumpur, the capital of the Federation of Malaya (246 miles)
and thence to Prai (a further 242 miles), the rail terminal on the
mainland. The connection from Prai to Penang is by Railway Ferry.
Day and Night trains connect Singapore with Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh
and Penang. Through international express passenger train services
between Prai and Bangkok run twice a week. The East Coast Line
branches off the main line at Gemas, 137 miles north of Singapore,
and runs to Tumpat, a distance of 465 miles from Singapore, with
a through service thrice a week. Comfortable air-conditioned first
class buffet and sleeping cars and cooled second class buffet cars
now provided on all principal trains, are popular among all com-
munities. Second class sleeping accommodation and third class
coaches have been greatly improved.

VEHICLES

RAILWAY TRAFFIC

241

The number of passengers entraining at Singapore for Federatiom

destinations was :—

1956
11,655
80,306

137,340

236,165

255,158

1957
11,325
82,190

142,837

227,887

228,261

1955

Ist Class 13,851

2nd Class 82,921

3rd Class a 135,629
Goods: Forwarded from Singa-

pore to the Federation (tons) 218,122
Received in Singapore from

the Federation (tons) 262,313

During the year, new 1,500 H.P. Diesel Electric Locomotives:
were introduced on the system. These locomotives operate the
principal trains in and out of Singapore and were imported into
the Federation via Singapore.

VEHICLES

Motor vehicles are registered under the Road Traffic Ordinance
in the Registrar of Vehicles’ Department of the Singapore City
Council. Fees for initial registration and half-yearly licence fees are
paid to City Council revenue except for the sum which is contri-
buted to the Rural Board to offset the cost of road maintenance,
but the 15 per cent additional registration fee charged on vehicles
of non-Commonwealth manufacture is collected for Government
account, as also is the new 10 per cent additional registration fee
introduced in November 1956 and charged on all passenger vehicles.
except omnibuses.

VEHICLES REGISTRATION AND LICENSING

Total Vehicles Total
vehicles newly vehicles
registered registered registered
on 31-12-56 in 1957 on 31-12-57

Buses, taxis and commercial
passenger vehicles. . 2 2,937 960 3,648
Goods vehicles 10,700 969 11,528
Private cars 45,541 5,847 48,984
Motor cycles 9,218 1,544 10,344
Trishas .. 3,765 — 3,645
Tricycles 7,722 1,480 9,161
Bicycles .. 218,275 14,250 232,174
Trailers .. 106 —_ 123
Others 2,139 8 2,147

242 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

The number of motor vehicles increased during 1957 by 6,108 as
compared with a 7,324 increase during 1956.

The total revenue collected was $13,452,241 and the cost of
collection $1,092,811. The latter figure includes the cost of an
Inspectorate which investigates and prosecutes offences, under
rules and by-laws for the licensing and control of vehicles and
drivers, and which examines vehicles for road-worthiness. The
former figure does not include the royalty paid by the Singapore
Traction Company to the City Council in lieu of fees.

At the beginning of 1957, there were 923 buses and 50 trolley
buses with a combined seating and standing capacity of 45,561.
By the end of the year, these figures had increased to 933 buses
and 50 trolley buses with a combined seating and standing capacity
of 46,777. Omnibus services are operated by one public and 13
private bus companies. The increase in vehicles was not enough to
cope with the increasing passenger demand, and overcrowding con-
tinued in spite of the fact that new buses being registered have
more seats than the old ones which they are replacing. Four new
bus services were initiated during the year.

A single licensing authority was established by legislation to
exercise the powers in respect of omnibus services which had
previously been exercised by the City Council and the Rural Board
respectively. The new Omnibus Services Licensing Authority held
its first meeting on 17th May, 1956.

The number of taxis registered for the year was 2,328; all of
them are fitted with taximeters. The Municipal (Hackney Carriage
—Amendment No. 2) By-laws 1957 to give effect to the Council’s
decision to delimit the number of 2nd Class Hackney Carriages
were published in the Government Gazette on 12th April, 1957,
and were confirmed by the Minister on 6th May, 1957, vide
Government Gazette Supplement No. S 123 of 11th May, 1957.
The number of registered trishas continued to decrease in accord-
ance with the policy of the City Council. From 8,583 in 1948, the
number had fallen to 3,765 in 1956 and 3,645 at the end of 1957,
a decease during the year of 120. The Council in September 1956
decided to remove the limit on the number of goods tricycles,
which hitherto was 7,000. The total number of registered tricycles
at the end of the year was 9,161. Bicycles increased by 13,877
compared with 18,509 in 1956. The total is now 232,174.

Inspections of motor vehicles totalled 54,791. Successful prosecu-
tions were conducted against owners of 69 vehicles found in a

VEHICLES 243

dangerous condition. Trisha inspections numbered 10,724. Action
against pirate taxis continued throughout the year, but only 49
out of 65 prosecutions were successful.

Mr. L. C. Hawkins, Chairman of the Public Passenger Trans-
port Commission, returned to Singapore on 22nd January, 1957,
to hold consultative talks with operators of public passenger
transport and advise Government on the unification of public
passenger services in Singapore.

About one-third of the drivers and conductors of the Hock Lee
Amalgamated Bus Co. Ltd. and the Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd.
went on strike at 5 p.m. on 27th May, 1957. There were a few
stone-throwing incidents.

The strike staged by certain employees of the latter company was
called off when agreement was reached between the company and
leaders of the workers at the Labour Ministry on 20th August,
1957.

The strike staged by certain employees of the Hock Lee Amal-

gamated Bus Co. Ltd. was called off after 110 days on 18th
September, 1957, when agreement to end the dispute was reached
between the company and leaders of the workers at the Labour
Ministry. It was not therefore necessary for the Court of Inquiry
which the Minister for Labour and Welfare appointed to look into
the dispute, to meet.
- During the year, continuous attention was paid to the recom-
mendations (made by the Organisation and Methods Department
and approved by the Council) on the work of the Vehicles Depart-
ment. There were altogether 102 such recommendations, of which
two were not agreed to by the Council.

Recommendations relating to the following necessitated amend-
ments to the existing law:

(1) staggered system of issuing licences for—
(a) motor vehicles and
(b) tricycles

(2) Reduction of the period of grace for payment of licence
fees.

(3) Registration and transfer of motor vehicles.
(4) Registration and transfer of bicycles.

(5) Licensing of trishas each 6 months instead of quarterly.

‘244 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

The following Rules and By-laws in respect of the above matters
‘were gazetted during the year:
(1) The Motor Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amend-
ment No. 3) Rules, 1957.

(u) The Motor Vehicles (Goods and Public Service Vehicle
Licensing) (Amendment No. 2) Rules, 1957.

(i111) The Municipal (Bicycle—Registration) (Amendment) By-
laws, 1957.

(iv) The Municipal (Tricycle—Amendment) By-laws, 1957.

By the end of the year practically all the Organisation and
Methods Department’s recommendations had been implemented.

Traffic Control

Control of traffic continues to be the duty of the Traffic Branch
of the Police Force.

The establishment of this branch was 24 officers and 242 other
ranks. Divisional Police and the Special Constabulary assisted in
traffic control duties. Schools crossing patrols formed in 1955 con-
tinued to do useful work in guiding school children across busy
Toad intersections.

Experiments were made during 1957 in using more men to
control traffic manually during peak hours. It was found that traffic
flowed faster and more smoothly, but shortage of manpower pre-
vented as much being done as could have been wished. The parking
problem became more and more acute as the volume of cars on
the road increased and the available space remained the same.
Various proposals were made to alleviate this parking problem,
such as covering over part of Collyer Quay or Raffles Place so
that cars could park double decked with parking meters installed
to defray the cost.

1955 1956 1957

Road Accidents ... re 20,016 21,904 23,816
Road Casualties:

Persons Injured - 3,138 3,216 2,765

Persons Killed ee 133 153 167

There were altogether 73 Traffic Lights operating at road junc-
tions. Four of these were installed in 1957. A Vehicle-actuated
Traffic Light was introduced during the year and fitted at the
Serangoon Road /Balestier Road junction traffic light in July. Pro-
posals for 6 more junctions to be fitted with this new traffic light

TELECOMMUNICATIONS 245

control, were held over owing to the delay in the arrival of supplies.
A commercial firm took over the maintenance of all traffic signals
from the City Council, but installation of new traffic lights was
carried out by the City Council.

Three new pedestrian crossings fitted with flashing beacons were
installed at the following places:

(a) Kampong Bahru Road xX Silat Avenue;
(b) Upper Serangoon Road X Wolskel Road;
(c) Tiong Bahru Road xX Henderson Hill.

Beacons were also installed on 2 pedestrian crossings at Raffles
Place.

Driving Licences

New applicants for driving licences were tested with as little
delay as possible, but the waiting list of those requiring tested
remains long.

The following are statistics of driving licences during 1957:

1956 1957

Tests for new applicants be set 26,528 33,081
Licences issued... ae sate 30,105 18,658
Licences renewed ... a, She 45,680 62,528
Provisional Licences issued... - 23,308 25,155
Provisional Licences renewed ... ae 20,665 21,437
Duplicate Licences issued ne ies 2,658 3,345
Failures in Driving Tests poe ee 13,340 17,676
Singapore Traction company Licences

issued ; 99 19
Singapore Traction | Company 1 Tissness re-

newed e 1,106 1,115
Licences re a ae se 79 254
Revenue a di ... 793,267 1,203,478

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Modern surface and air travel facilities call for a speedy and
highly efficient telecommunication system with a world-wide net-
work. As the focal point in the Far East for trade and commerce,
Singapore has grown to be one of the world’s great ports for
international shipping and air transport. Along with this progress,

246 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

its telecommunications network has developed into an integral and
vital link in communications by international radio and over-
seas submarine cable. The Telecommunication Services in Singa-
pore, with the exception of the local telephone system, are under
the control of the Director of Telecommunications with a staff of
754. The estimated revenue for 1957 was $5.7 millions and the
estimated expenditure, exclusive of capital and development pro-
jects, was $4.4 millions.

TELEPHONES

The telephone system which provides telephone communi-
cations within Singapore is under the control and management of a
public corporation known as the Singapore Telephone Board
which took over the system from the Oriental Telephone and
Electric Co. Ltd. on Ist January, 1955.

It is an automatic system, with ten exchanges covering the whole
Island. All subscribers have full inter-dialling facilities. There is a
flat-rate tariff for local calls. The number of exchange lines in
service at the end of 1957 was approximately 30,000 with 18,000
extension lines; the daily average number of calls was about
600,000. During 1957, there was a nett increase of 3,500 exchange
lines and 1,500 extension lines connected to the system.

During the year, installation of equipment in new exchange
buildings at Whitley Road, Queenstown and Bukit Panjang was
completed and these exchanges, with a total initial capacity of
5,800 lines, were opened for service. The building for the new
City Exchange with an ultimate capacity of 30,000 lines was com-
pleted, and installation of the initial 9,000 lines was commenced.
Building also began on two 20,000-line exchanges in Tanjong
Katong and Paya Lebar to augment the existing exchanges in these
areas. The complementary distribution and junction networks for
these exchange areas were developed in step with the exchange
installation programme.

Telephone communication between Singapore and the Federa-
tion of Malaya is through the Trunk Telephone Circuits provided
and maintained by the Telecommunications Department. The
majority of the 157 circuits are by VHF radio system. Special
high-quality circuits in this system were provided for the Depart-
ment of Broadcasting to relay broadcasts to and from the Federa-
tion. More than 2,000,000 telephone trunk calls between Singapore
and the Federation were handled during the year.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS 247

OVERSEAS RADIO-TELEPHONE SERVICB

The Department which has hitherto provided and operated the
radio equipment for the Overseas Radio-telephone Service, has now
taken over from the Singapore Telephone Board the handling of
the calls as well. The service which is now entirely operated and
maintained by the Telecommunications Department, has heen
extended, and radio-telephone calls can be exchanged from Singa-
pore and the Federation of Malaya to any other country in the
world which is served by a radio link with Singapore. Towards
the end of the year the following links were in operation:

1. Singapore/London, serving the European countries including the

USSR, the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland, Lebanon, and
with extensions to Canada and French North Africa.

2. Singapore/San Francisco, serving U.S.A., Chile, Cuba, Mexico and
Hawaii.

Singapore /Sydney, serving Australia and New Zealand.
Singapore /Osaka, serving Japan.

Singapore /Poona, serving India.

Singapore / Manila via Hong Kong, serving Philippines.
Singapore /Bandoeng, serving Indonesia.

Singapore /Bangkok, serving Thailand.

Singapore /Hong Kong, serving Hong Kong and Macao.

Cet Le a SS

10. Singapore/Jesselton, serving Labuan and North Borneo.

During 1957, 24,200 radio-telephone calls were handled, an in-
crease of 4,700 calls over the 1956 figure. The revenue derived
from this source was $340,700.

TELEGRAPHS

Internal telegraph communications between Singapore and the
Federation of Malaya were provided by the Telecommunications
Department with extensions by radio to Thailand, Sarawak, Brunei
and Christmas Island. Communication with Thailand and Sarawak
was by radio-teletype, and with Christmas Island and Brunei by
radiotelegraphy. The VHF radio system was used to provide the
teleprinter circuits for the internal telegraph services.

By means of the Teleprinter Switching System, which was intro-
duced in late 1956, the Singapore Telegraph Office was able to
obtain direct connection with any of the principal telegraph offices

248 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

in the Federation of Malaya through the main teleprinter switch-
boards in Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang, thus speeding up
considerably the general flow of traffic, and minimising opportuni-
ties of errors in telegrams by eliminating re-transmissions. Appro-
ximately 763,300 telegrams were handled during 1957. In addi-
tion, more than 184,000 cablegrams to and from places in the
Federation of Malaya were transmitted over the direct Cable and
Wireless /Kuala Lumpur link.

There has been great demand for the facilities for direct tele-
printer communication between commercial houses, news agencies
and similar organisations in Singapore and the Federation of
Malaya. The installation of a Teleprinter Exchange, called the
Telex, in Singapore in 1957 greatly improved this service. Sub-
scribers who were hitherto limited to certain specified direct con-
nections could now be connected, on demand, to any other
subscriber to the service through the exchanges in Singapore, Kuala
Lumpur, Penang and Ipoh. Teleprinters are also rented out to
Government Departments and to the Singapore Police Force which
has its own teleprinter communication network in Singapore. 213
teleprinters were on hire during 1957, as compared to 101 during
1956. The annual revenue earned from this source during 1957
was $148,730.

OVERSEAS TELEGRAPH SERVICE

Overseas telegraph traffic to and from Singapore is handled by
Cable & Wireless Ltd., whose submarine cables provide direct
duplex circuits with Arabia, Australia, Borneo, Ceylon, Hong
Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines and South Africa for 24 hours
each day.

These cable channels are supplemented by high-speed radio
point-to-point services, using automatic equipment, similar to that
of the cable circuits, to facilitate the integration of the two systems.

The Company also provides a radio facsimile service, for the
transmission and reception of photographs and other visual mate-
rial between Singapore and the United Kingdom, U.S.A., Australia,
Ceylon, Hong Kong and Japan.

With the co-operation of the Telecommunications Department
of the Federation of Malaya, phototelegrams, relayed at Singapore,
were transmitted to Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom
directly from Kuala Lumpur during the Malayan Merdeka celebra-
tions in August.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS 249

TRAFFIC

The number of overseas telegrams handled by Cable & Wire-
less Ltd., to and from the Colony of Singapore only, during 1957,
was 664,972 inwards and 716,415 outwards, approaching a total
of almost 14 million for yet another year.

Corresponding figures to and from the Telecommunications
Department, Singapore, were 27,818 inward and 115,078 outward,
making a total of over 140,000 telegrams. The teleprinter circuits
to and from the Federation of Malaya handled approximately
184,000 telegrams.

In addition to this total of about 1,750,000 messages, the Cable
& Wireless office in Singapore handled a similar volume of Inter-
national Telegraph traffic in transit between other points of the
Company’s world-wide network.

In October, Cable & Wireless Ltd. revised their tariffs for
overseas telegrams. This resulted in a general increase in rates per
word of about 40 per cent, but the Empire Press rate still remained
at one penny (4 cents Malayan) per word.

DEVELOPMENTS

The move of the Operating and Control Room to new air-
conditioned quarters at the end of December 1956, has brought
increased efficiency. The conveyor belts, which are of a new design,
have brought a great saving of time.

With the continued co-operation of the Telecommunications
Department, Cable & Wireless Ltd. have now direct communica-
tion with subscribers on the Singapore Teleprinter System through
the Singapore Teleprinter Switching Exchange, and the range into
the Federation of Malaya has been extended by a direct circuit
with the Ipoh Teleprinter Exchange and an additional circuit with
the Kuala Lumpur Teleprinter Exchange.

In September, one channel of the Singapore-Osaka wireless link
was changed from morse to 5-unit working in both directions. This
was followed by a second channel at the beginning of December.

On ist December, two channels of the Singapore-Sydney wireless
circuits were changed to 5-unit working, employing the Teleprinter
Error Detection device known as “Ted”. This device converts from
5-unit to 7-unit to provide protection between the terminals and
automatically requests and receives a repetition of any doubtful
combination.

Leased commercial Radio telegraph circuits were again extended
in 1957.

250 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

CABLE DEPOT

The Cable Depot and Factory at Keppel Harbour has produced
over 1,000 nautical miles of cable during the year for repairs and
extensive replacements in this area. Repairs and renewals are
undertaken by the Singapore based Cableships Recorder and
Retriever which form part of the Cable & Wireless Ltd. fleet of
such vessels.

Radio

The Public Radio-telegraph and Radio-telephone services for
communication to and from ships at sea and aircraft in flight, are
provided by the Telecommunications Department’s Radio Coast
Station and Radio Air-Terminal Station respectively using the
international radio call signal VPW operating on medium and high
frequency channels. In addition to the acceptance of public radio-
telegrams of all categories, radio watches for the interception of
distress, safety and urgency signals from ships at sea or aircraft
in flight are maintained in accordance with the requirements of
International Radio Regulations for the safety of life at sea and in
the air. Commercial and private radio-telegrams including ship
letter telegrams handled by the Radio Coast Station during 1957
numbered approximately 124,700. For communication with coastal
vessels operating in the Malayan waters, a marine radio-telephone
service was also provided.

In the Aeronautical Telecommunications Service, while the
majority of traffic exchanged over the Aeronautical Fixed Tele-
communication Network are not chargeable, certain class of opera-
tional traffic known as class B2 traffic and sent by airline operating
agencies, are by agreement with the administrations concerned
made chargeable at rates equivalent to those for public cablegrams
sent by the normal public telegraph channels. This class of traffic
was accepted between Singapore and Bangkok, Rangoon, Amster-
dam and Sydney. With the speedy flow of traffic following the
‘introduction of radio-teletype operation over the AFTN channels,
it was possible to admit class B2 traffic over these channels. The
number of such messages handled have risen from approximately
16,000 in 1956 to about 24,100 in 1957, with a corresponding
increase in revenue from about $100,000 in 1956 to more than
$198,000 in 1957.

The Telecommunications Department has also provided and
maintained, on a chargeable basis, special VHF Radio-telephone

TELECOMMUNICATIONS 251

services for the City Council Water and Electrical Departments,
the Singapore Fire Brigade and the Auxiliary Fire Services, the
Master Attendant’s Department, the Customs and Excise Depart-
ment, the Immizration Department, the Government Health De-
partment, the Civil Defence Department and the Rural Board.
There were 10 main stations installed at the Department’s VHF
Station at Mount Faber, through which a total of 175 stations,
including mobile land stations, mobile marine stations, and fixed
land sub-stations, are linked in the VHF network in Singapore. In
1957, the network provided for the City Electrical Department,
comprising 1 main station, 4 fixed land sub-stations, 16 mobile
land stations and 2 walkie-talkies, was added to the service. The
Department also maintained the Radar equipment installed in
Customs launches.

The Department operated services for local press agencies under
agreement with them. These consisted of overseas radio press
broadcasts to, and reception of newscasts from, selected overseas
stations, and the provision and maintenance of equipment for the
local distribution of news. This local distribution of news is called
the Comtel Broadcast and was introduced in 1957. It consists of
a network of teleprinter connections from any press agency to all
its subscribers for the speedy dissemination of news by simul-
taneous transmission from the agency. These services were under-
taken on payment of charges based on rentals for the equipment
provided and on the time employed in their operation. Revenue
derived from this source amounted to $263,148 for the year 1957.

Radio licences issued by the Department during the year and
which were in force on 31st December, 1957, are as shown be-
low :—

1. Land Station Licence ... eis i 1
2. Ship Station Licences ... eee os 89
3. Aircraft Station Licences es oe 18
4. Fixed Station Licences a sit 3
5. Radio Dealers Licences hs ca 532
6. Amateur Licences an! oo ous 53
7. Experimental Licences aie a 246
8. Press Receiving Station Licences ... Pe 7
9. Private Business Licences oe = 110

252 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957
POSTAL SERVICES

The Postal Services Department in the Colony forms part of a
Pan-Malayan Postal organisation headed by the Postmaster-
General, Malaya, with headquarters at Kuala Lumpur in the Fede-
ration of Malaya. The Department in Singapore is under the local
control of a Director of Posts and is included in the portfolio of
the Minister for Communications and Works.

The geographical situation of Singapore as the natural centre
for the sea and air routes of South-East Asia enables the Singapore
Post Office to function as a distributing Post Office for the neigh-
bouring countries of Sarawak, Brunei, North Borneo, Indonesia,
Thailand and the Philippines. In addition, it deals with a large
part of the surface and air mail to and from the Federation of
Malaya. —

The main function of the Post Office is the collection, transmis-
sion and delivery of mail of all classes, but it also provides the
public with important services for the transmission of remittances
by Money Order and Postal Order and encourages thrift through
the medium of the Post Office Savings Bank. Post Offices in the
Colony also act as suitable agencies for providing special services
on behalf of other Government departments. The most notable of
these services are the collection of contributions to the Central
Provident Fund, the payment of Army and Air Force allowances,
and the issue of Broadcasting licences.

The Post Office in Singapore caters for the mail of a mixed
population of 14 million persons made up of many races, all using
their own scripts. It deals also with all mail posted and received
by members of the Forces drawn from many parts of the Common-
wealth who are stationed in Malaya.

For postal purposes, Singapore and the neighbouring islands are
divided into 28 numbered postal districts. The well-established use
of the district number in addressing correspondence facilitates
sorting and results in the speedier handling of mail for delivery.
Throughout the year there was continued publicity to encourage
the use of the postal district numbering system and the correct
addressing of correspondence. Public response is improving.

Three postal deliveries are made daily on weekdays in the central
area of the City and two deliveries throughout most of the
remainder of the island. On the basis of periodical statistics it is
estimated that more than 974 million items of all classes of corres-
pondence, including parcels, were dealt with in 1957 as compared

POSTAL SERVICES 253

with 92 million items in the previous year. Of this total, an esti-
mated 1,515,280 items which for one reason or another could not
be delivered were handled in the Dead Letter Office at the General
Post Office.

At the end of the year, there were 32 post offices, including the
Post Office at Christmas Island, which provided full postal facilities
for mail and counter business, as against 29 post offices in 1956.
In addition, there were 18 postal agencies operating as against 9
in 1956.

Although only 2 new postal offices, those at Jalan Kayu and
Alexandra Road, were built during the year, sites were obtained,
plans drawn up and tenders called for new offices to be
built at Serangoon Garden Estate, Thomson Road, Killiney Road,
Whitley Road, Queenstown, Simpang Bedok, Kampong Kapor and
Paya Lebar. In addition, the post offices at Katong, Maxwell Road,
Queen Street, Keppel Harbour and Kandang Kerbau were reno-
vated and extended to provide additional working space to handle
the ever increasing postal traffic. Modern public counters were
installed and rest room facilities for the staff were provided at
each office.

During the year, a total of 10 Class A and B Stamp Vending
Licences were issued. A further 37 posting boxes were installed,
mostly in the rural areas, bringing the total in use at the end of
the year to 232. Numbers of vehicles in use during the year were
two Mobile Post Offices, 31 vans, 8 motor-cycles and 182 bicycles.
Two motorised sampans were also purchased during the year to
provide delivery services to the inhabitants of the islands lying
North-East and South-West of Singapore.

The total authorised staff of the Postal Services Department,
Singapore, for 1957 was 1,019. There were 12 senior officers—the
Director of Posts, 2 Controllers of Posts and 9 Assistant Controllers
of Posts. The Director of Posts was an expatriate officer and two
more expatriate officers on temporary transfer from the British
Post Office were holding the posts of Assistant Controllers. The
remaining senior officers’ posts were all held by local officers.
During the year 2 local senior officers were promoted Controllers
of Posts and 2 Chief Superintendents were promoted Assistant
Controllers. At the moment 3 Honours Graduates of the University
of Malaya, appointed Cadet Assistant Controllers of Posts, and
3 serving officers, were undergoing advanced postal training over-
seas for a period of 2 years. All these officers will be eligible for

254 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

consideration for appointment as Assistant Controllers of Posts
upon satisfactory completion of their training and a further period
of probation.

The Post Office Training School continued to operate in a
limited form for the training of newly recruited staff. Efforts are
being made to obtain more spacious accommodation for the Train-
ing School in order to extend the training facilities provided.

The Postal Services Joint Committee held 4 meetings during the
year. Discussions were conducted in a cordial atmosphere and the
business on hand was amicably settled.

The cash turnover of the Singapore Post Office during 1957 was
$204,123,818.79.

Post Office Savings Bank operations are described in Chapter V.

FOREIGN MAIL

During 1957, air mail schedules were improved and several new
services were introduced, resulting in an increase in the frequency
of despatches to foreign destinations. Over 720 separate despatches
of air mail are made each week to Post Offices in other territories.
The delivery of air mail correspondence addressed to Post Offices
of Exchange in United Kingdom, India, Thailand, Hong Kong,
‘China, Indonesia, Eastern Australia and New Zealand was accele-
rated by the use of additional air services.

The new spacious Airport Sorting Office at Paya Lebar Airport
which was completed in December and which will function in early
January 1958 on a 24-hour basis will, in the first instance, deal
only with Commonwealth and Foreign air mails, both inward and
outward. This will enable the Postal Department to handle and
sort air mail correspondence for local delivery with the minimum
of delay and will also ensure that transit air mail despatches for
other countries are promptly re-forwarded by the next available
aircraft.

In spite of the continued increase of air mail facilities and the
widespread public use of air mail services for all classes of corres-
pondence, there was no reduction in the amount of traffic carried
by sea, rail and road. During the year, a total of 215,986 bags
of surface mail were made up for, and received from, overseas
destinations as against 177,528 bags in 1956.

Our POSTME

Top—On fo

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CRRA

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Top—Inche Abdul Hamid bin Haji Jumat, Minister for Local Government,
Lands and Housing, meets residents of Yio ChuyKang,

‘elow—A group of villagers from Sembawang inspects a’ dormitePy during a
tour of the Police Training School.

XVI

Information Services, Press,
Printing, Broadcasting, Films

HE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION SERVICES is
responsible for carrying out the Information Policy of the
Government and of its Ministries and Departments.

It is realised that Information is not a departmental activity but
an aspect of the work of all departments and that they require the
pool of specialised services provided by the Department. No
Ministries have their own information staff except for the Chinese
Press Liaison Officer seconded from the Department to the Chief
Minister’s Office, and the Police Secretary who gives regular Press
Conferences twice daily. Plans were however accepted for an in-
crease of staff in the Press Section in order that a Press Officer
could be attached to each group of ministries for close co-operation
and regular service primarily in matters of Press publicity.

The Department, which is within the Chief Secretary’s Ministry,
provides for all Ministries a team of advisers on policy and of
specialist staff in the fields of publicity—Press, posters and publica-
tions, exhibitions, translators and interpreters, field assistants and
mobile cinema operators. Its spoken and written material must be
provided in the four official languages of Singapore, English,
‘Chinese, Malay and Tamil. Material is supplied to the separate
Department of Broadcasting, and to Rediffusion which is com-
mercially operated. In view of the special importance of the Press
in an international centre such as Singapore which is also the
centre for the newspapers of the Federation of Malaya, special
importance has always been attached to close relations with the
Press.

The work of the Information Department in 1957 reflected the
policy of the Government to prepare the ground for the new institu-
tions and attitudes of self-government following the agreement on

256 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

the general outline of the new powers and institutions, of self-
government both in central and local government. It continued to
be necessary to emphasise the range, volume and intensity of work
of the Ministers to establish in the mind of a public of growing
political responsiveness the fact, the extent and the significance of
the democratic changes in the constitution of Singapore: for
through the facts of government the new democratic way of public
life would be judged and justified. In order to break down the
feeling of a separate colonial government and build up the feeling
of a government representative of, and responsible to the electors
from whom their authority and power is derived. Emphasis was
laid not only on what the Government does, but on the fact that
it is done in the name of the people and for their purposes.

The definite need was created by the Singapore Citizenship Law
which brought the great majority of the adult population into
the political life of Singapore, and the Local Government Legis-
lation which expanded the local government electorate and intro-
ducing elections for the first time into local government in the
rural areas. The dominant emphasis was laid on training in civics.
In May, a full-time Information Officer was appointed to organise
civics courses in four languages for a wide range of groups—from
the rural areas, from trade unions, from civics societies, from
hawkers and taximen, from teachers and students. Eighty courses
were organised and attended by over 1,200 people. The courses
lasted one or two days. Their focus was on the Assembly as the
centre of Parliamentary activity but they extended to interviews
with Ministers and Assistant Ministers and visits to government
departments. The Department had the full support of government
servants who welcomed the opportunity of building closer under-
standing of their work among the people. With the passing of
legislation for the first elected Councils in the rural areas, emphasis
was placed at first on groups from the rural areas for whom the
centralised administration had been too distant a factor. The most
striking illustration of this was of a daughter of a farmer from a
rural area 12 miles from the city who saw the civic centre of
Singapore for the first time when she took part in one of these
courses.

This work was supplemented by the regular daily tours of the
three Public Address Units, and of the two Film Units which dur-
ing the year gave 660 film shows with an average attendance of
100. The films shown are those made for the Department, and the
Malayan Film Unit’s productions about the Federation of Malaya,

INFORMATION SERVICES 257

as well as of those produced by the governments of other members
of the Commonwealth, particularly Australia and Canada. In addi-
tion 190 Community Listening Sets were provided by the Depart-
ment with the assistance of the Rural Board; most of these are now
situated in the rural areas.

The Press Section of the Department is responsible for the dis-
tribution of news and the provision of facilities for the Singapore
Press and for the correspondents of the international news agencies
and of individual overseas newspapers. Press Conferences are
arranged for Ministers or Heads of Departments or overseas visitors
under official auspices. 1,258 press releases were issued during the
year. Arrangements are also made for interviews with Ministers and
visits to departments for resident or visiting correspondents, as well
as for visiting parties of overseas journalists, mainly coming from
S.E. Asian countries under the auspices of the Commissioner-
General’s Office. The Press Section which includes the Press Con-
ference Room is centrally placed on the ground floor of the
Assembly House in which the Chief Minister has his office, and
which is adjacent to the Secretariat in which are situated the offices
of the Chief Secretary, the Financial Secretary and the Attorney-
General, the head office of the Department, and the Supreme Court
Building. The Press Office is in regular telephone and tele-
printer communication with the Press Section of the Department
of Information Services of the Federation of Malaya in Kuala
Lumpur, and a member of the staff of the Federal Department is
posted to the Singapore Press Section to arrange the distribution
of Federation material in Singapore. The Press Section published
for the Rural Board the monthly newspaper Rural News in four
languages. Two photographers are on the staff of the section to keep
a record of public functions and of departmental activities, and to
print material for overseas distribution and for use in the publica-
tions of the Department, or other government publications. 7,625
negatives were exposed during the year.

The demand for the Singapore News Summary, a fortnightly con-
densation of the daily press statements continued to increase, 350
copies being distributed mostly abroad.

During the year the number of translators on the staff of the
Department was increased and a Vernacular Publications section
established. This section monitored all daily papers in Chinese,
Malay, Tamil and Malayalam and prepared a Daily Digest of the
non-English Press of which 250 copies were distributed, and a
Weekly Digest of editorials in the non-English Press of which 280
copies were distributed. Many of the smaller papers published twice

258 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

or thrice a week were also monitored. A growing volume of special
translation work was carried out by this section and 425 special
translations were made. The section also produced, during 1957,
three news sheets—Min Chung Pao in Chinese, Suara Melayu in
Malay and Podhujana Nanban in Tamil.

A new Research Section was established and the library of
almost 1,000 books mainly on matters of current political and
economic interest was transferred to its control. This section has
the responsibility of preparing factual reports for Year Books
published in Singapore and overseas and for the preparation of
pamphlet material on the work of Singapore Government and its
Ministries.

The Production Division includes the Publicity and Distribu-
tion Section and the Exhibition Section. The former is responsible
for the preparation and distribution of printed material, such as
leaflets, posters, and handbills, and for advertisement hoardings,
cinema and Press advertisement. The Exhibition Section organises
exhibitions on the initiative of the Department or at the request of
other departments and prepares exhibition material for use in
Singapore and overseas.

The major campaign undertaken by the Publicity Section was
that for Citizenship Registration, in which press advertising, cinema
slides, posters, leaflets and postal franking were employed in four
languages with the full co-operation of the Civics and Press Sec-
tions. Nearly 24 million items of printing material were distributed
during the year. A regular pictorial calendar and monthly photo-
news were produced. All publications were in English, Chinese,
Tamil and Malay. Press advertising on behalf of all Government
departments was placed by this Section. The 8th annual issue of
the Businessmen’s Guide of Malaya was published in co-operation
with the Department of Information Services of the Federation of
Malaya.

The major activity of the Exhibition Section were in connection
with the United Nations Day exhibition which was opened by the
Chief Minister of Singapore and was later visited by the Prime
Minister of the Federation of Malaya whose membership of the
United Nations was given special comment. The second was the
U.N.E.S.C.O. Science Exhibition which visited Singapore in June
and proved very popular. Other exhibitions concern community
education and health education. The Exhibition Section also main-
tained 82 photo-stations in all parts of the Island and a public
reading room in the Ministry of Labour and Welfare Building in

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PRESS | 259

a crowded central area of Singapore. The Exhibition Officer con-
tinued to act in all matters affecting tourism, pending the appoint-
ment of a full-time Director of Tourism.

The Section also provided material for exhibitions overseas.

The work of overseas publicity was limited by the lack of over-
seas staff and distribution facilities. But material was sent regularly
to the Information Office at Malaya House in London for use in
the United Kingdom, and material such as the Fortnightly News
Summary was sent to Information Officers of other territories in
South-East Asia and in the Commonwealth.

PRESS

Besides having its own well-established Press, Singapore is an
international news centre with an excellent international Cable
and Wireless Service for news and photographs, efficient tele-
communication links with Malaya and easy and frequent travel
connections by air with South-East Asia, Asia and the major
nations. As a diplomatic and strategic centre in the region, it
contains the offices of the United Kingdom Commissioner-General
for South-East Asia, the Headquarters for the United Kingdom
forces in the Far East, Commissioners for other Commonwealth
countries and many consular establishments.

Journalists from the Philippines, the United States, Burma, the
United Kingdom, Vietnam and India visited Singapore during the
year. The number of resident overseas correspondents in 1957 was
11—4 less than in 1956.

The following agencies have permanent representatives in Singa-
pore: Reuters-Australian Associated Press, United Press Inter-
national, Associated Press, Agence France Presse, Australian
Broadcasting Commission, Central News Agency of China, Kyodo
News Service and Pan-Asia News Alliance.

Among the newspapers with regular full-time representatives
have been The Times, the Manchester Guardian, the Daily Tele-
graph, the Daily Mail, the Observer, the Daily Express, the
Christian Science Monitor and the Asahi Shimbun (Tokyo).

The British Broadcasting Corporation, the National Broadcast-
ing Company of New York, the Australian Broadcasting Commis-
sion and the Columbia Broadcasting System of New York also
had permanent representatives.

Singapore had 10 major newspapers published daily in English,
Chinese, Malay, Tamil and Malayalam. The total circulation of

"260 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

these newspapers continued to increase steadily. There are over
300. journals and magazines published in all languages.

The number of Press Identity Cards issued by the Department of
Information Services up to the end of the year was 530.

PRESS LEGISLATION

The law of the Colony requires printers and publishers to make
a declaration before the Registrar of the Supreme Court concern-
ing the commencement and cessation of publication of every news-
paper and to supply three copies of each for official archives. All
newspapers have to be registered under the law. The Undesirable
Publications Ordinance, 1938, as amended in 1955, includes publi-
cations printed unlawfully in the Colony and provides for control
of imported publications which are considered undesirable in the
public interest.

NEWSPAPERS PUBLISHED IN 1957 |
English:
Morning—Straits Times, Singapore Standard.
Afternoon—Singapore Free Press.
(The morning papers have Sunday editions.)

Chinese:
Morning (including Sundays)—Nanyang Siang Pau, Sin Chew
Jit Poh.
Afternoon—Nanfang Evening Post.

Malay:
Morning—Semenanjong.
Sunday—Warta Ahad Semenanjong.

Tamil:
Evening—Tamil Murasu, Malaya Nanban.

Malayalam:
Evening—Kerala Bandhu.

The largest of these newspapers had a daily circulation of over
80,000. In rural districts the Department of Information’s own
publication Rural News continued in four languages.

PRINTING 261
PRINTING

The Government Printing Office, which is responsible for the
printing of this book, produces all official printed matter and con-
trols Government stationery.

The factory is equipped with modern machinery and uses letter-
press (flat bed and rotary), photo-lithography, and intaglio met-
hods. A modification of the British Master Printers’ costing system
is used to cost all processes.

Work performed in the Printing Office during the year comprised
Electoral Rolls, Reports of the Legislative Assembly Debates,
Minutes of Committee Meetings and the year finished with Citizen’s
Registration Forms and certificates. A special procedure was
worked out for dealing with application forms for registration as
a Citizen of Singapore. After processing in the Registration Bureau
where they were filed and numbered the completed forms were
returned to this office for ‘flexibinding’ into their file covers thus
forming a permanent record.

New editions of Orchids of Malaya, Snakes of Malaya and a
reprint of Malaya were published as well as The Road and Street
Directory of Singapore. Demands for these titles continued at the
usual high level, Great Britain and America taking about the same
quantity each. There has been a falling off in demand for the World
Bank Mission Report, Economic Development of Malaya, but a
considerable increase in demands for the monthly return of Import
and Export Statistics has been experienced throughout the year.

The outer wall of the factory was pierced through and louvre
windows have been installed all round the working area, an
improvement very much appreciated for the extra air and light
it admits. A reduction in the amount of sick leave has been
attributed to these healthier conditions. A great deal of work
has been done to improve the artificial lighting in the printing
machine room. This is now equipped with a natural daylight type
of vapour lamp, so installed that no stroboscopic effect is noticed
on revolving parts of machines.

City and Guilds of London examinations for typographical sub-
jects in which a number of our trainees were successful took place
on the premises. Two film shows were arranged—one on the
office premises dealing with printing metal and the other at the
Shell Theatrette dealing with Monotype typesetting machines. In-
terested members of the public attended each show.

262 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Offset-Litho machines were used for the first time in printing
from half-tone illustrations. These half-tones are produced auto-
matically from specially prepared sensitised material, no screen
being used. Rather careful attention to the ratio of exposure and
aperture is needed to obtain good sensitivity and coverage of inter-
mediate tones.

BROADCASTING
Wireless Licences

The number of licence holders in Singapore at the end of 1957
was 63,618, an increase of 4,629 over the previous year’s figure.
About one person in 23 had a licensed listening set at the end
of 1957.

Revenue from various kinds of licence fees for the year 1957,
including receipts from Rediffusion subscribers, amounted to
$1,074,576.50. A continuous and systematic check is kept to ensure
that all licences are renewed on expiry, and that all purchasers of
new wireless sets obtain licences from the Post Office.

Programmes

The most significant achievement during the year was the extent
and success of Pan-Malayan operations. Radio Malaya planned and
carried out a campaign of broadcasts connected with the achieve-
ment of Independence in the Federation of Malaya at the end
of August; it has no counterpart in the history of the Department.
During the Merdeka Celebrations running commentaries on a scale
not hitherto attempted were broadcast from Kuala Lumpur in four
languages by staff from all stations of Radio Malaya. A very large
part of the basic planning of the preliminary programmes was
completed at Programme Headquarters in Singapore and, in the
execution of these programmes and in the reports on the Celebra-
tions, the staff of the Singapore Station made a notable contribution.
At one. time towards the end of August more than 25 members of
the Singapore staff were on duty in the Federation of Malaya.

Several months before the climax was reached in the Federation,
Singapore also celebrated the achievement of another step on its
road to independence when the all-party Merdeka Delegation led
by the Chief Minister, Mr. Lim Yew Hock, returned from its
successful mission to London. Radio Malaya on this occasion
broadcast an account of the proceedings in the four languages of
the country. During the same period, more and more programmes
leading up to the achievement of Merdeka in the Federation were

BROADCASTING 263

already being broadcast. Numerous demands from overseas broad-
casting organisations for programmes about Malaya were met, and
one Radio Malaya production, Holiday in Malaya, was distributed
free and used in every country of the Commonwealth and by more
than 250 radio stations in the United States of America.

Other outside broadcasts were the Opening of the Kranji Ceme-
tery War Memorial, the Queen’s Birthday Parade, and the Granting
of the Freedom of the City to the retiring Governor, Sir Robert
Black.

Radio Orchestra

The new orchestra formed in 1956 enhanced its reputation.
During 1957 the Radio Orchestra operated in six different com-
binations using the names: The Malayanaires (both Western and
Chinese), Malayanaires Dance Orchestra, The Studio Orkest
Rayuan Sukma, The Singapore Six, Musica Viva and the Radio
Malaya String Orchestra. In Singapore, the orchestra provided the
accompaniment for several Malay singing contests and variety
shows, and a string quartet with the title Musica Viva gave several
successful concerts. Apart from these outside activities, studio
programmes were recorded throughout the year to serve listeners
to the English, Malay and Chinese programmes.

The Radio Orchestra recorded 56 programmes with its full com-
bination. Programmes recorded by the Malayanaires were asked
for by Great Britain, Australia, Hongkong, Indonesia, the Philip-
pines and the British Borneo territories. Members of the Radio
Orchestra, forming a popular trio known as Tiga Sekawan (piano,
bass and guitar), recorded weekly throughout the year for broad-

casting in Malay and English programmes. The output of Chinese
music was increased.

Adult Education

Radio Malaya’s experiment in the field of adult education by
radio was started in 1955 with a Malay Literacy Course and this
course was successfully continued in 1957. There was also language
instruction, teaching both Malay and English, in the different pro-
gramme services. During 1957, a Radio Law Course was held,
sponsored by the University of Malaya and the Adult Education
bodies of both Singapore and the Federation in association with
Radio Malaya. Apart from the 500 students who enrolled for the
course, a large audience listened regularly to the Radio Law series,
and there was an urgent demand for further Adult Education
courses of this type. Plans were made for a course in Malay on the

264 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Economy of Malaya to start early in 1958 and preliminary plans
were made for further courses in English and Malay and also in
Mandarin.

Talks and Features

Political broadcasts during the year included a weekly com-
mentary World Affairs in English, Chinese and Malay, and a
fortnightly forum in English in which foreign correspondents dis-
cussed international events. Other discussions broadcast in different
languages included one on Co-existence and one on The Problem
of the Intellectual in a Communist Country in which the celebrated
author, George Mikes, took part. Among the speakers heard during
the year were Douglas Hyde, James Mitchener, Mike Todd,
Reginald Reynolds, Victor Feather, Hans Taussig, Dr. Saul Rose,
Vernon Bartlett, S. Rajaratnam, Benjamin de Cunha, Dr. Lin Wo
Chiang, Dr. B. W. Purslow, Professor A. Oppenheim, Professor
C. J. Eliezar, Tom Harrison, Michael Tweedie, Elizabeth Taylor,
Group. Capt. Cheshire, Louis McNeice, and Alec Waugh. There
were a number of important broadcasts by both the Prime Minister
of Malaya and the Chief Minister of Singapore as well as by
other ministers in both territories. The Prime Ministers of the
Commonwealth all spoke in one programme on the eve of the
achievement of Independence of the Federation of Malaya.

Professor Rajakannu of the University of Malaya gave a new
series of talks on the ancient civilization and literature of the Tamils
called Sangam Literature in the Indian programmes. Other mem-
bers of the University of Malaya gave talks on various subjects,
especially Malay language and literature, and readings from the
Malay classics in the Malay programmes. |

Important campaigns conducted during the year were: Regis-
tration for Citizenship in Singapore, the Singapore Census, Chil-
dren’s Week, Health Week.

The Services received special attention in the Malay magazine
programme For the Defenders of the Soil and the children had
their own air-time in all the four languages. For example, in the
English programme Youth At The Helm, a 15-minute magazine,
all types of youth activities in Singapore received attention. There
were talks on careers and civics and reports on the work of the
Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and other youth movements.

There were several new features introduced during 1957 includ-
ing a new series of Book Reviews in the Indian programmes;
University Forum, broadcast in English programmes; women’s

BROADCASTING 265

programmes in all languages and a Debating Corner in Malay
programmes.

The series of Bangsawan broadcasts started in 1956 was con-
tinued in the Malay programmes. The recording of Malay Opera
is a matter of great importance since the art is in danger of
dying out and since the last of the great companies is located in
Singapore. Local talent in all languages was given ample oppor-
tunity to try itself out on the air and every programme gave
Opportunities to promising young singers and instrumental per-
formers. Recitals were broadcast by distinguished musicians visiting
the country, in particular :—Richard Tucker, Luigi Infantino and
Marian Anderson in the international sphere and several fine
Indian musicians including the famous Carnatic song master,
Vidwan Manirajan. There was a growing public interest in classical
music of all types. The Chinese programmes included a series of
12 talks on Chinese Opera by an expert and also recitals by a new
Radio Choir of 100 Singapore voices.

During 1957 Radio Malaya was able to concentrate on construc-
tive programmes and on making the content of all the programmes
more Malayan, and more diversified in their content, so as to appeal
to a wider audience than the community which each particular
language serves. The English programmes have always been aimed
at a non-communal audience, but during 1957 progress was made
in the other language programmes, particularly in the Malay
Section. This Malayan orientation of programmes is likely to have
a profound effect on the shape of broadcasting in the future and
on the influence that this medium can have on the building of a
true Malayan consciousness.

There were no major changes in the distribution of languages or
language hours of broadcasting during 1957 but towards the end
of November there was a further extension in the Malay language
broadcasts from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The cost of pro-
gramme operations during the year was no greater than that in
1956 in spite of the exceptional commitments. More members of
the staff went on training overseas and further training courses were
instituted within the Department itself.

ENGINEERING

Broadcasting House Studio Centre

This contains an Auditorium (seats 180), five General Purpose
studios, three Continuity Suites, a Main Control Room, six Tape
Recording Channels with editing facilities, two disc recorders all

266 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

of which are in air-conditioned areas, and equipment and vehicles
for outside recording and broadcasts. Additionally there are a
Workshop, a Test Room, a Drawing Office, Stores, a Winding
Room and a Carpenters’ shop. A stand-by generator is capable of
taking over the major load.

The development of projects for Singapore (Broadcasting House
and Jurong) and for Federation Stations is carried out by six
Projects Engineers who deal with subjects such as Building Layout
and Specification (in conjunction with the Architects), Planning,
Air-Conditioning and other services, Acoustic Treatment of studios
and research into the same, the Design and Specification of Aerials
and Arrays, the Construction of new or proto-type equipment,
Measuring and Testing Apparatus, the Specification of Routine
Maintenance procedure and other activities and the reconstruction
and modernisation of existing facilities.

Projects Engineers were also called upon during 1957 to assist
other departments in the acoustic assessment and treatment of
Theatres and Assembly Halls, etc., the specification of Hospital
radio equipment, technical advice to the Television Committee and
co-operation with the Polytechnic Television Society.

The 6 Engineers are assisted by approximately 63 Technical
Assistants and Technicians excluding the Jurong staff.

At the Broadcasting House Studio Centre acoustic retreatment
of the ‘C’ suite control and Drama Studio was completed and the
auditorium stage was re-built in 1957.

Jurong Transmitting Site

At Jurong there are three medium wave 10 KW broadcast
transmitters for local coverage, and five of 5 to 7.5 KW short-wave
senders to serve the Malayan Peninsula by eight aerial arrays
designed for the purpose. A stand-by power plant of four machines,
maximum output 325 KVA, is used in the event of mains failure.

The station is run by the Engineer-in-Charge, with a staff of
one Pupil Engineer, one Special Grade Technical Assistant, 29
other Technical Staff and 37 non-technical employees.

Hours of transmission over the year totalled 28,834 and the
time lost from all causes was 24.5 hours, i.e. 0.085 per cent.

One new SW array for 49 metres has been erected and placed
in operation. This has much improved the service to rural listeners
in the Federation. Site clearing for further SW arrays is in progress.

Various modifications were made to transmitters and other
apparatus, resulting in increased efficiency or reliability, and

BROADCASTING 267

assistance was given to the Physics Department of the University
of Malaya in connection with the erection of aerials for its Inter-
national Geophysical Year programme.

Site security measures were improved and a VHF speech channel
was installed for use in emergency. Plans have been made for the
provision of emergency studios at the transmitters and temporary
stand-by studio facilities have been provided for present use.

One short-wave sender, which has been replaced, is being over-
hauled and modernised to serve as a stand-by in case of failure
or overhaul.

NEWS DIVISION

There were thirty-two news bulletins broadcast daily in the four
main languages: English, Chinese (seven dialects) Malay and
Tamil. Over 300 newstalks on national and international affairs
were broadcast. The major news events in Singapore during the
year were the successful Merdeka Mission which the Chief Minister
led to London in March and April and the elections to the newly
constituted City Council in December. The News Room was able
to broadcast all the City Council election results by midnight on
polling day.

In 1957, for the first time, members of the News Division were
able to go on courses overseas. One Editor, and the senior Division
II reporter went on six months’ courses with the British Broad-
casting Corporation, U.K. newspapers and the British Council.
Another reporter went on a six months’ course with the Australian
Broadcasting Commission under the Colombo Plan, and studied
radio news work and television news.

The Special News Service, which provides the overseas monitor-
ing services, became integrated with the News Division, and the
posts in the Special News Service were placed on the permanent
establishment. |

REDIFFUSION

Wired broadcasting is carried out by Rediffusion Limited, a
company which has operated under Government franchise since
1949. Programmes are distributed from the Company’s studios to a
number of sub-stations over lines rented from the Telephone Board.
From there, further distribution is carried over about a thousand
miles of wire laid by the Company to the loudspeakers of indivi-
dual subscribers. The monthly rental for a loudspeaker is $5, and
on 31st December, 1957, there were 38,089 loudspeakers in service.
During 1957 the service of Rediffusion Ltd. was extended to
Kallang Estate.

268 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Subscribers can select one of two programmes, the Gold or the
Silver. The Gold Network is entirely in Chinese and the Silver
Network uses English, Malay and some of the less widely spoken
Chinese dialects. The programmes consist, to about 60 per cent,
of musical recordings but there are many live broadcasts from the
Company’s studios, from outside broadcasts and relayed from
Radio Malaya. Many of the programmes are sponsored by local
and international advertisers. Since June 1956, commentaries on all
horse race meetings, held in Singapore and the Federation of
Malaya have been broadcast direct to subscribers.

Rediffusion Programmes
Hours per week
English eke rae suis 71
Chinese
Mandarin
Hokkien
Cantonese
Teochew ae se
Foochow — is 143
Hainanese
Hakka ...
Shanghai
Heng Hwa

Malay ate ae sea 10

—/

Total ... 224

TELEVISION

As a result of a debate in the Legislative Assembly in February
1956 on the introduction of television into Singapore, a Committee
of 8 unofficials under an official Chairman was set up to consider
the problems of organisation and finance which would be involved
in introducing television into Singapore.

The Committee, in its report published on Ist April, 1957,
recommended that, if television is established, it should be managed
by a public corporation, rather than by a government department
or a private firm. This form of organisation, it said, would enable
an impartial body to supply policy direction, and the legislation
establishing the corporation could provide for any desired influence
over representation by Government on the Board. The majority

FILMS 169

recommended that the corporation should accept advertising and
sponsored programmes to be self-supporting. They suggested that
the corporation should be linked with the Broadcasting Depart-
ment, Singapore, even though this might make it necessary to
introduce a commercial element into sound broadcasting. One
reason advanced by the Committee for linking Television with
Sound Broadcasting was because both forms of broadcasting draw
their programme material from the same sources of the stage, the
press and the world of public affairs. They provide, essentially, the
same kind of service in that they constitute communication to the
public in their homes and should, therefore, have similar aims.

It was estimated that the cost of a pilot scheme would be
$750,000, increasing eventually to an annual cost of about
$2,750,000. It was suggested that the capital outlay might be pro-
vided by Government and, to meet the annual cost, an annual
fee of $50 might be charged to viewers, an import duty might be
imposed on Television sets or Government might make a erent to
meet any deficit.

It was recommended that programmes should be initially in
English and Chinese, with a total of 12-14 hours of transmission
a week, that Government control of the corporation should be kept
to a minimum and that special attention should be given to the
problems of programmes for children and schools.

The Committee’s technical recommendation was for transmission
with 405 lines.

FILMS

The Board of Film Censors is a Pan-Malayan Department which
censors all cinematograph films and advertising materials for public
exhibition in the Colony of Singapore. During the year 1957, a
total of 1,724 films passed through censorship. They consisted of
35 mm. feature films, shorts and newsreels, 16 mm. feature films
and shorts. In addition, a considerable number of advertising film-
lets, long commercial films of a purely technical and religious
nature and 8 mm. films were also censored.

The majority of films released during the year were imported
from the United Kingdom, United States of America, Hong Kong
and India, numerous films from France, Italy, Japan, West
Germany, Sweden and Mexico. There was a marked increase in
films from all territories carrying super-imposed titles in English,
Chinese, Indian and Romanised Malay, making them more appeal-
ing to audience of all nationalities. More films in colour were

270 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

imported from Hong Kong and India, and cinemascope films in
black and white from the United Kingdom and United States of
America were introduced.

As in previous years, newsreels were imported mainly from the
United Kingdom and United States of America. Some of the news-
reels were dubbed in Mandarin and Cantonese for release in
cinemas which screened only Chinese films.

From the two local studios, thirteen films were produced and
submitted for censorship. There was a tendency to break away
from the usual love story and domestic theme in favour of the
Supernatural and adventure type of films. Whenever asked for,
assistance was given to the local producers by vetting their stories
and dialogue script before they were produced.

The majority of commercial cinemas in Singapore were air-
conditioned and equipped with the most up-to-date apparatus for
screening of all types of films. In addition, there were many open-
air cinemas operating in the rural areas.

Cinemas which screened first and second run English speaking
films were required by law to screen ten per cent of British films
including those made locally, while cinemas which screened mostly
and exclusively vernacular films, were exempted from this require-
ment. Returns were submitted to ensure that the provisions of the
Quota legislation were observed by the exhibitors.

TELLING THE PEOPLE

The Government Information Services emphasized during the year what the
Government is doing for the people in their name and wy#th their yauthority.
Top—tThe spoken word.

Below—The written word.

Top—Recruits of the Singapore Infantry Regiment being sworn in.
Below—The Governor Sir Robert Black inspecting M.A.A.F. Headquarters.

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Defence

HE GEOGRAPHICAL position of Singapore, coupled with

its well developed communications with other parts of South-
East Asia, makes it a natural military centre. It has large establish-
ments of United Kingdom and other Commonwealth forces, the
cost of which is borne by their respective Governments. Their
operational commitments lie within and beyond the shores of the
Colony. In addition Singapore’s own local forces for local defence
have been steadily developed since 1854 when the Singapore
Volunteer Corps was first established.

LOCAL FORCES

In 1957, the local forces comprised two regular and seven part-
time organisations raised and maintained under local laws at the
Colony’s expense. The Royal Malayan Navy and the Ist Battalion,
Singapore Infantry Regiment, are regular forces maintained and
financed by the Singapore Government, whilst the Malayan Royal
Naval Volunteer Reserve, the Singapore Military Forces, the
Malayan Auxiliary Air Force, the Singapore Harbour Board Re-
serve, and the three Civil Defence units, provide locally recruited
personnel, organised, disciplined and trained to take an active part
in the defence of the Colony as and when the occasion arises. The
training of these Forces conforms, as far as possible, with standards
set for comparable United Kingdom Territorial and Auxiliary
Forces and, with the exception of Civil Defence, is directed and
‘supervised by Officers Commanding Regular United Kingdom
formations of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force based
on the Colony. In addition, a section of the youth of the Colony
‘were trained in three Cadet Corps for future service (if they so
desire) with the senior volunteer forces of the Colony.

272 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

ROYAL MALAYAN NAVY

Although plans for the expansion of the Royal Malayan Navy
had to be deferred pending the outcome of negotiations with the
Government of the Federation of Malaya for its transfer to them,
steady progress was maintained. It continued to be administered
and financed by the Singapore Government.

Afloat

All ships of the Royal Malayan Navy are on loan from the
United Kingdom Admiralty. Negotiations were in progress for the
acquisition of two new Inshore Minesweepers, and Royal Malayan
Navy personnel undertook specialised training in anticipation
of the arrival of these ships. When the Federation became
a sovereign State in August 1957, anti-piracy patrols and fishery
protection patrols in Federation territorial waters ceased. It was,
however, agreed that the R.M.N. should, if required, assist in
operations directly connected with the Emergency. The reduction
of the Navy’s activities in Federation waters coincided, however,
with augmented commitments in Singapore waters and R.M.N.
ships continued to be fully engaged throughout the year.

All ships took part in the Merdeka Celebrations in the Federation
where a total of 18 Malayan ports were visited. Other operations
and exercises included, in addition to the patrols mentioned above,
salvage operations in the Penang area, co-operation with the
Marine Police in anti-smuggling activities, a joint exercise with the
Royal Air Force, special courier work, and a voyage to Christmas
Island and return, at the Government’s request, with a Singapore
Citizenship Registration team. Patrols off Singapore reduced in-
fringement of territorial waters and brought a considerable de-
crease in smuggling.

Ashore

Royal Malayan Navy personnel were on parade on many
occasions in 1957, notably at the Merdeka Celebrations in Kuala
Lumpur, when their bearing and drill earned much favourable
comment. Other ceremonial occasions included the unveiling of
the Kranji War Memorial, the Queen’s Birthday Parades in Singa-
pore, Kuala Lumpur and Malacca, the presentation of the Queen’s
Colour to the Far East Fleet, and the Remembrance Day Cere-
mony in Singapore. An escort of R.M.N. craft was also provided
when His Excellency Sir William Goode arrived in Singapore to
take up his appointment as Governor.

LOCAL FORCES 173

In April, nine cadets were selected by an Interview Board from
over 400 applicants for entry into the Royal Malayan Navy. After
preliminary basic training in the R.M.N. Barracks and further
academic instruction at Raffles Institution, the nine cadets left
in December for the United Kingdom for entry to the Britannia
Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. Six of the cadets specialised in
Seamanship and three in Engineering. The proportion of locally
entered officers to British officers continued to increase to 31
to 27. The first cadet to be entered in the Royal Malayan Navy
returned in November from training in the United Kingdom and
in Royal Navy ships based on British ports. As a Sub-Lieutenant
of the Supply and Secretariat specialisation, he will gain further
professional experience in the R.M.N. Barracks. Another Sub-
Lieutenant under training will become the first Cadet Entry seaman
specialist officer to be appointed to a ship of the Royal Malayan
Navy. Of the remaining 31 Malayan Officers, 4 were officers of the
Special Duties List performing the duties of their ranks in the Royal
Malayan Naval Barracks, 14 were Midshipmen and 11 were Cadets
under training in the United Kingdom.

Only a limited recruitment of ratings was necessary in 1957,
though over 2,500 applications were received. More local men
joined the Royal Malayan Navy as Artificer Apprentices, and
received technical instruction in H.M. Dockyard. These men
and their colleagues will form the nucleus of the skilled tradesmen
in the Electrical, Engineering and Shipwright Branches of the
Royal Malayan Navy.

During 1957, 28 ratings were advanced to higher rate, and a
further 28, having completed 7 years’ service, elected to continue
on a 12 years’ service engagement, with a view to qualifying for a
pension.

In the R.M.N. Barracks the planned building programme con-
tinued on a modified scale. The new galleys and dining halls, which
were completed during 1957, provide messing facilities according
to the latest and highest standards of comfort and hygiene. In
addition, two blocks of flats for married ratings were completed
in Marsiling Road, and construction was started on more blocks
of flats for occupation in 1958.

Outstanding Events

In May 1957 Captain H. E. H. Nicholls, c.B.B., D.S.c., R.N., left
Singapore on leave prior to retirement. He had been continuously
in command since 1946, when he became Commanding Officer of

274 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

the then Malay Section of the Royal Navy. On the disbandinent
of this Section in 1947, he was given the task of forming a new
Navy which came into being in 1949, and which became the Royal
Malayan Navy in 1952. He was succeeded as Senior Officer, Royal
Malayan Navy, by Captain E. D. Norman, D.S.0., D.S.c., R.N.

At the end of the year, the Royal Malayan Navy was called upon
to fill the traditional role of navies throughout the world in render-
ing assistance to those in distress. On the evacuation of Netherlands
nationals from Indonesia, the Navy at short notice transformed its
Barracks at Woodlands so as to deal with the reception, accom-
modation and care of up to 750 evacuees at a time. Personnel of
the Royal Malayan Navy cheerfully worked long hours and accept-
ed cramped quarters during the period of this commitment, and
more than 1,200 evacuees were assisted before the end of 1957.

Distinguished visitors to the Royal Malayan Navy during 1957
included His Excellency the Governor of Singapore, Sir Robert
Black, K.C.M.G., 0.B.E., the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the British
Minister for Defence, the Civil Lord of the Admiralty in the
United Kingdom, and the United Kingdom High Commissioner in
the Federation of Malaya.

MALAYAN ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE,
SINGAPORE DIVISION

The Singapore Division of the Malayan Royal Naval Volunteer
Reserve which was first formed on 28th April, 1934, is the oldest
naval force entirely maintained by the Government of Singapore.
It is-also the largest unit in the Commonwealth outside the United
Kingdom. The Division is commanded by a volunteer officer and
has a small permanent administrative and instructional staff. The
volunteer members of the Division attend training on a part-time
basis, and are trained in Seamanship, Marine Engineering, Electri-
cal Engineering, Naval Communications and Radar Maintenance.

Applicants for recruitment into the Malayan Royal Naval
Volunteer. Reserve far outnumber the authorised establishment.
One third of the officers are Singapore-born and this number is
increasing with promotions from the non-commissioned ranks.

A Women’s Section of the Service was formed in 1957 and
named the Singapore Women’s Auxiliary Naval Service. Members
of this Service will be trained in Seaward Defence Plotting and
Communications.

LOCAL FORCES 175
Training

Training in all branches is given in the Headquarters ship
H.M.S. Laburnum. Specialised training is given at R.N. and
R.M.N. shore establishments. |

Continuous training is undertaken for periods of 14 days
annually in ships of the R.N., the R.M.N. and in the Division’s
own Seaward Defence motor launch H.M.S. Panglima. During the
training year, volunteer officers and ratings on training cruises
visited ports as far apart as Perth, Western Australia; Phuket,
Siam; and Saigon, Vietnam. H.M.S. Panglima, built in Singapore
with funds provided by the Singapore Government, completed
training cruises totalling more than 16,000 miles during which she
acted as escort to H.M.Y. Britannia with the Duke of Edinburgh
embarked, and also represented the British Commonwealth, when
paying an Official visit to Saigon in April 1957. During this visit,
Panglima entertained on board the Vice-President of Vietnam and
the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, in addition to all members
of the International Supervisory Commission for Vietnam.

A number of important training events took place during the
year, and during an exercise in naval control of shipping, sponsored
by the Australian Commonwealth Naval Board and conducted in
the Malayan Area by the Commander-in-Chief, Far East Station,
all duties for the period of the three days of this exercise were
carried out by Malayan R.N.V.R. personnel.

One Asian volunteer officer was in the United Kingdom com-
pleting extensive naval courses, and it is intended that one
local-born officer will proceed to the United Kingdom annually in
order that the necessary naval background and knowledge will be
available for the future well-being of the Force.

Outstanding Events

A ceremonial contingent was provided at the presentation of the
Queen’s Colour to the Far East Station of the Royal Navy and a
Royal Guard was paraded when His Excellency the Governor, Sir
Robert Black, K.C.M.G., 0.B.E., unveiled a War Memorial at the
Malayan R.N.V.R. Headquarters to officers and men of the
Malayan Navy, the Royal Naval Reserve and the Malayan
R.N.V.R., who lost their lives during World War II.

The year 1957 was the last year of command of Captain F. E.
W. Lammert, C.B.E:, D.S.C., V.R.D., M.R.N.V.R., who assumed the
command of the Division in 1947. Under his leadership the Divi-
sion was reformed after the war and has steadily progressed.

276 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

SINGAPORE MILITARY FORCES

The Singapore Military Forces, raised and maintained at the
expense of the Colony, provide land forces for the defence and
internal security of Singapore Island. It stems from the old Singa-
pore Volunteer Corps founded in 1854 and carries with it the
tradition and proud record of over 100 years of voluntary military
service in the island.

The purely voluntary nature of the Force, however, has been
gradually changing in recent years with the introduction of part-
time National Service in July 1954, and the raising of the first
regular unit—the Ist Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment—
during 1957. Nevertheless, the volunteer will always remain an
integral part of the Force and his spirit and enthusiasm will remain
as great a factor in creating and maintaining morale in the future
as it has in the past.

The regular 1st Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment, is the
first regular military unit ever raised by the Colony and marks not
only the beginning of a new phase in the history of the Singapore
Military Forces, but also a period of re-organisation which will
continue over the next few years and which will produce a well-
balanced and efficient force, armed and equipped to modern
standards.

Organisation

The organisation of the Force was as follows:

Headquarters, Singapore Military Forces (Regulars);

Ist Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (Regulars);
Singapore Armoured Corps (Volunteers);

Singapore Royal Artillery (Volunteers);

Singapore Royal Engineers (Volunteers);

Singapore Corps of Signals (Volunteers);

Singapore Volunteer Corps (Infantry);

Singapore Army Service Corps (Volunteers);

Singapore Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (Volunteers);
Singapore Women’s Army Corps (Volunteers).

Preparations were made to re-organise many of the volunteer units
and to include in some of them a regular element for the first time
with the ultimate aim of constituting the Force as an Independent
Brigade Group consisting of two regular battalions and one
volunteer battalion of infantry and supporting units composed of
regulars, volunteers and national servicemen.

‘OsnoH, A[quuassy dsANeI[sIsay o10desulS

pomnonasvind a 1 vlc sata tie otbe K

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LOCAL FORCES 277

Internal Security Duties

By an amendment to the Singapore Military Forces Ordinance
approved during 1957, non-regular members of the Force can now
be called upon for internal security duties without the formal pro-
clamation of an emergency. Although training in internal security
duties started, no call was made on the Force.

Training

Volunteers and national servicemen are trained in the evenings,
at weekends and at annual camp, with two evening parades of
two hours’ duration each week at the Beach Road Headquarters,
one week-end camp of up to 36 hours usually at the Tanah Merah
Camp at Changi and one annual camp of from 10 to 14 days. As
more training aids and equipment became available in 1957, interest
and keenness in training increased. The Armoured Car Squadron,
two Light Anti-Aircraft Batteries and ‘D’ Company, Singapore
Volunteer Corps, attended annual camp at Kangar Kahang in
Johore; the Engineer Squadron attended camp at the Engineer
Training Centre, Kluang.

As there was no National Service intake in 1957, it was possible
for the first time since 1954 to commence purely volunteer recruit
training. Two hundred and forty recruits, selected from 700 appli-
cants, formed the sixth intake and were in training from May to
September 1957. The number of applicants demonstrated the
popularity of the Forces im Singapore and the wide selection
allowed a high standard of recruits to be selected.

Regular Battalion Training

The first recruits joined the 1st Battalion, Singapore Infantry
Regiment, in March 1957. By arrangement with the U.K. Army
authorities recruits received their initial 16 weeks’ training at the
Malayan Basic Training Centre at Nee Soon where progress has
been very good. Further training is then carried out in the Battalion
under the permanent staff (8 officers and 15 other ranks) seconded
from the British Army. With further recruiting, about half the
Battalion had been formed and trained up to platoon level by the
end of 1957. It was expected to be up to full strength by the end of
1958.

Officer Training

Volunteer officer training was carried out in units. To ensure the
speediest provision of locally commissioned regular officers for
the Ist Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment, eight Asian Officer

278 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Cadets were selected for training. Two cadets were attending
the Officers School at Portsea, Australia, and six the Fede-
ration Military College at Port Dickson, Malaya. Two Asian
officers were selected by a Board for immediate commissioning
directly into the Regiment.

Liaison and Assistance to Other Units

Close liaison was maintained throughout the year with the
Royal Navy, Regular Army, R.A.F. and allied volunteer units in
the Colony. Assistance was provided to the R.A.F. Regiment with
the loan of Dome Trainers and Ranges. Holiday rifle meetings
were run for the Singapore Rifle Association, Changi Camp and
other accommodation was loaned during the year to British
Army Schools, Singapore Base District, and to School Cadet Forces
who were also provided with a number of instructors.

Notable Events

During 1957, His Excellency the Governor visited the Forces
Headquarters in Beach Road on four occasions. The General
Officer Commanding, Singapore Base District, carried out his
annual inspection on 8th December, 1957. The Forces took part
in the Queen’s Birthday Parade and provided Guards of Honour
at the unveiling of the Singapore War Memorial, on the occasion
of the granting of the Freedom of the City of Singapore to His
Excellency, Sir Robert Black, K.C.M.G., 0.B.E. and at the installation
of Sir William Goode, K.c.M.G. as Governor and Commander-in-
Chief. Contingents of the Singapore Military Forces were also
present at the Remembrance Day Parade, and motorised and foot
columns were well received by the public during the City Day
celebrations on 21st September, 1957.

NATIONAL SERVICE

The National Service Ordinance continued in force in 1957, and
registration was carried out of persons who had entered the
Colony and were liable to register under the Ordinance. Up to
the end of September, a total of 174 persons were thus registered.

During the year, it was decided to hold another registration
campaign between Ist October and 6th November, 1957, applicable
only to citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies who were
born between Ist December, 1937, and 2nd December, 1939. Dur-
ing this campaign, 18,482 persons were registered, of whom 85 per
cent were Chinese, 10 per cent Malays and 5 per cent Indians and
other races.

LOCAL FORCES 279

A ballot conducted by the National Service Ailocation Com-
mittee was held on 6th December, 1957, to draw 1,100 registered
names for medical examination and call-up, for part-time training
in the Singapore Military Forces and the Civil Defence Corps.

MALAYAN AUXILIARY AIR FORCE

The Malayan Auxiliary Air Force is a volunteer force raised
jointly by the Singapore and Federation of Malaya Governments.
The Singapore Section of this Force, comprising a Wing Head-
quarters, a Flying Squadron and a Fighter Control Unit, is main-
tained by the Colony out of funds provided by the Legislature.
The Section is commanded by a volunteer officer and all members,
apart from a permanent Staff Officer, his assistants and instructors,
serve on a part-time voluntary basis.

Training

The new Headquarters of the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force
(Singapore Section) at Kallang which includes lecture rooms, offices,
Synthetic Operations Room, Officers’, Sergeants’ and Airmen’s
Messes, was Officially opened by His Excellency the Governor. The
training of the pilots and ground crew of the Flying Squadron pro-
gressed well throughout the year with both groups attending
lectures during the evenings at Town Headquarters and carrying
out practical work on aircraft at Tengah. The Fighter Control Unit
carried out Synthetic Training in the well-equipped operations
room at Town Headquarters and practical training was carried
out at Sembawang with the R.A.F.

Notable Events

Contingents of the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force took part in
the Queen’s Birthday Parade and the Remembrance Day Parade.
At a Wings’ Presentation Parade, two pilots received their ‘Wings’
from the Chief Minister, Mr. Lim Yew Hock.

Annual Camps

The Squadron and part of the Wing Headquarters together with
the two Squadrons from the Federation of Malaya moved into
Camp at the R.A.F. Station Seletar which was jointly visited by
the Chief Ministers of Singapore and the Federation, in whose
honour a parade and fly-past was carried out. Training at the Camp
was very successful, the Squadron recording a considerable amount
of day and night flying and also winning, for the first time, the

280 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Shell Trophy in competition with the Federation Squadron. The
Fighter Control Unit Camp, held at Town Headquarters, provided
must successful training.

SINGAPORE HARBOUR BOARD RESERVE

The Singapore Harbour Board Reserve operates under the pro-
visions of the Singapore Harbour Board Reserve Ordinance, 1952,
and recruits are obtained from the Singapore Harbour Board
employees, especially the waterside labour force. The object of the
Reserve is to ensure the uninterrupted handling of cargo within
the Harbour Board area whenever it may be required to do so;
and for this purpose the Reserve is organised into a Headquarters
Company, five Waterside Companies for cargo handling, a
Mechanical Company for handling harbour mechanical equip-
ment, and a Training Company. There is also a Pipe Band and
a ‘Z’ Company for temporarily non-active Reservists.

Training

With the help of the Singapore Military Forces, arms and
weapon training was successfully introduced during the year at
the wish of the Reservists who felt that, as an uniformed force,
they were entitled to be treated as military personnel.

Reservists attended parades and trained enthusiastically. With its
own weapons and armoury in 1958, there will be further progress.

THE CIVIL DEFENCE FORCES

With the enactment of the Civil Defence Ordinance in 1951,
volunteer Civil Defence forces and services were organised to
provide trained Air Raid Wardens to carry out reconnaissance
and to form rescue, ambulance and casualty-collecting groups,
welfare workers to assist refugees and the homeless, and fire-
fighting and nursing auxiliaries. A Commissioner with two Assist-
ants and two Senior Staff Instructors from the United Kingdom
joined four trained local Instructors to form the command and
staff of the Civil Defence organisation. A depdt was established
with an administrative headquarters, an equipment, clothing, and
vehicle store, and a training school.

CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS

When recruitment was opened at the end of 1951, amongst
those who enrolled were a number who had served in the A.R.P.
organisation during the enemy air attacks ten years previously.

CIVIL DEFENCE 281

The first course at the Training School was designed to train
a nucleus of part-time volunteer instructors who were to train
the new recruits of the Corps in the four languages which are
of common usage in Singapore, namely English, Malay, Chinese
(Cantonese, Hokkien, Teochew, Mandarin) and Tamil. These
Volunteer Instructors courses continued in 1952 and 1953, and
members of the Armed Services, the Police Force and other
Government departments, the City Council, the Harbour Board,
Malayan Railways, the Singapore Telephone Board and Cable and
Wireless Ltd., attended the courses with the object of enabling them
to conduct civil defence training in their own units and organisa-
tion. Thereafter, the Corps expanded fairly rapidly with the
enlistment of Volunteers and National Servicemen who carried out
Active Training for two years, followed by a period on the Reserve.
By the end of 1956, the Corps had been organised into four well-
trained sections, namely Headquarters, Warden, Rescue and
Ambulance, each capable of performing their specialised duties in
the event of an emergency.

Training

Satisfactory progress continued to be made during 1957 in the
technical training of the Corps. The Rescue Section was organised
into four Columns, one Column to each of the four Sub-Control
Areas. Each Column consists of three companies, each of two
Platoons, each of three Rescue Parties (a Leader and eight men).
Additionally the Ambulance Section in each Sub-Control was
established round the framework of a Depdt and Sub-Stations.
Reserve Training during the year was divided into three phases:
the first concentrated on revision in first-aid, reconnaissance and
patrolling, light rescue, casualty collecting and the basic techniques
of the individual Reservist: the second concentrated on training of
sub-units: and the last phase in October consisted of four major
exercises, One in each of the Sub-Control areas. These exercises,
while of great value, nevertheless suffer from the difficulty in peace
time of simulating realistically war conditions, involving wide-
spread and intense conflagration, heavy casualties, extensive
damage and destruction of buildings and highways.

Civil Aid
As in former years, members of the Civil Defence Department
and the Civil Defence Corps, either individually or in units, on a

number of occasions assisted the Police Force, Fire Brigade, Social
Welfare Department, Medical Service, Civil Aviation Department,

282 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

City Council and Rural District Authorities in rescue operations
and welfare aid following fires, crashes, floods and other accidents.
On such occasions the Civil Defence Headquarters is alerted at
short notice, and Civil Defence Forces are quickly brought into
action, with an advanced H.Q. established at the scene of the
disaster, and rear H.Q. at the depdt to gather reinforcements. There
has never been any lack of eager and well-trained Volunteers and
National Servicemen to undertake these duties at immediate call.

AUXILIARY FIRE SERVICE

The Auxiliary Fire Service was reformed after the Second World
War to supplement the Regular Fire Brigade, both in peacetime
and in the event of war. With the retirement of the Volunteer
Commandant in March 1957, the Service came under the command
of a Staff Officer seconded from the Singapore Fire Brigade, the
Superintendent of which is responsible for the control and admini-
stration of the Service.

Excellent training facilities are provided for solunteers at the
Auxiliary Fire Service Depét in Serangoon Road. Training in fire-
fighting techniques is extensive, and during weekends trained
members are posted to Fire Stations in Singapore where they turn
out at fires, together with the regular firemen. Crews also stand
by at the Service Depét every evening as a first step towards gain-
ing more fire-fighting experience. During 1957, members of the
Service attended to 125 fire calls directed by the City Council Fire
Brigade.

A section of the Auxiliary Fire Service is specially trained in
the use of VHF radio telephones, the standard means of communi-
cation with the mobile force. The Service also maintains a com-
plete network of communications at its Control with direct ex-
change lines to all Fire Stations.

A contingent of the Auxiliary Fire Service again participated in
the Queen’s Birthday Parade. During the year, the Service con-
tinued to grow in strength and to consolidate its position as a
valuable auxiliary of the regular Fire Brigade.

THE SINGAPORE HOSPITAL RESERVE

The Singapore Hospital Reserve was formed under the Civil
Defence (Singapore Hospital Reserve) Formation Rules, 1952. It
is a Volunteer Corps whose function is to reinforce the permanent
hospital staff in war or in any emergency, and membership is
restricted to those persons who hold the First Aid Certificate and

CIVIL DEFENCE 283

the Home Nursing Certificate of either the St. John Ambulance
Association or the British Red Cross Society. The Reserve is
under the control of the Director of Medical Services and is
administered by the Civil Defence Commissioner.

Training

On joining the Reserve, a Nursing Auxiliary first undergoes 100
hours of training in Wards of the General Hospital, followed by
20 hours of instruction in Elementary Nursing at the Civil Defence
Training School. At the end of this first phase of training, an
examination is held for the Blue badge, and thereafter successful
reservists undergo the second phase involving a further 50 hours’
training at the General Hospital as well as a further course at the
Training School. A final examination for the Red badge is then
held. During the year, 70 men and women obtained the Blue badge
and 67 the Red Badge.

Four major exercises were held during the year in co-operation
with the Civil Defence Corps, during which the reservists taking
part established Emergency Hospital Wards at various schools.
The enthusiasm of the reservists and the capable way in which they
handled the ‘casualties’ indicate that the progress of this Corps
for reinforcing the Nursing Services is proceeding satisfactorily.

CADET CORPS
Sea Cadet Corps

The Sea Cadet Corps is open to all boys between the ages of 14
and 17 capable of absorbing the instruction given. Emphasis is
placed on practical training, especially boatwork, and instruction
is regularly given in boat handling in the Corps R.N.S.A. dinghies.
In addition to routine training, visits are made to H.M. ships, and
harbour cruises are made in craft of the Malayan Royal Naval
Volunteer Reserve. The annual camp took place in August at the
Royal Malayan Navy Barracks where Cadets attended a series of
courses arranged by the Senior Officer of the R.M.N.

Scholarships are awarded annually by local shipping companies
to Cadets who have shown keenness and progress throughout the
year. Six Cadets were chosen in 1957, two going to the United
Kingdom for training, one to Japan and three making a round
trip to Borneo. During the year, the Cadets were inspected by
the Flag Officer Malayan Area who reported that the Cadets
acquitted themselves with distinction.

284 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

School Cadet Corps (Army)

The seven established School Cadet Corps were increased by
four new Corps during 1957. |

The instruction given is mainly practical and includes drill,
weapon training and infantry tactics. A comprehensive training
programme was covered during the year up to Cadet Efficiency
Certificate standard. Ninety-one Cadets secured Part I Certificates
and 65 Part II Certificates. The musketry training concluded with
the Annual Shooting Competition held in October, and there was
keen competition for the trophies.

Two camps were held at the Singapore Military Forces per-
manent camp at Tanah Merah in April and August. The Corps
were given every assistance at both camps by the Singapore Mili-
tary Forces who lent equipment, provided transport, and assisted
in Organising training courses. These two camps were attended by
approximately 800 Cadets. The annual camp is becoming increas-
ingly popular and Cadets of various races mix freely and live
together on the best of terms as good Singaporeans.

The Cadet Training Year ended in November when all School
Cadet Corps were inspected either by the General Officer Com-
manding, Singapore Base District, or by his representative.

Malayan Air Training Corps

The Malayan Air Training Corps is organised on the same lines
as the Sea Cadets with a central Headquarters. The training pro-
vided is a mixture of theoretical and practical work on aeronautical
subjects, including engineering, radio and air navigation. As the
Cadets are below the minimum age allowed for piloting aircraft,
the Royal Air Force offered opportunities for Cadets to gain actual
flying experience as passengers, while the Royal Singapore Flying
Club made available a dual control aircraft as a ‘flying class-
room’ for navigation and flying instruction.

The past year has been one of steady progress and there has
been a good flow of recruits with an emphasis on quality rather
than quantity. Apart from air training, several map reading exer-
cises in the jungle areas of the Island were held during the year.
A successful and well attended camp was held at Changi Airfield
in August when the Royal Air Force provided officers and N.C.O.s
to give intensive instruction on air subjects as well as courses
to promote discipline and to give Cadets the ‘feel’ of life in one
of the Services.

XVIII

Constitution and Administration

CONSTITUTION

INGAPORE IN 1957 continued to be administered under the

Constitution amended in detail but not in general pattern from
the constitution established by the Singapore Colony Order-in-
Council on 8th February, 1955, along the general lines of the uni-
cameral Parliamentary government recommended by the Rendel
Commission. The Constitution provides for a Council of Ministers
consisting of the Governor, as President, three ex-officio members
(the Chief Secretary, the Attorney-General and the Financial Secre-
tary), and seven Ministers appointed from among the Elected and
Nominated Members of the Legislative Assembly, provided that
there shall not at any one time be more than one Minister who is a
Nominated Member of the Legislative Assembly. One of the un-
Official Ministers is entitled ‘Chief Minister’ who has precedence
over all other Ministers and virtually has the power and authority of
a Prime Minister. Subject only to the Governor’s reserved powers,
which would only be used in extreme cases where in his opinion
‘public faith, public order or good government’ appeared to be
impaired, the Council of Ministers controls Government policy in
all matters except external affairs, internal security and defence.
Ministers are collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly
for policy but have full executive authority over their respective
departments, each of which has a Permanent Secretary, a Civil
Servant, who exercises supervision under the general direction of
the Minister. The portfolios allocated to unofficial Ministers are:
Commerce and Industry; Health; Education; Labour and Welfare:
Local Government, Lands and Housing; and Communications and
Works. At the present time the Council of Ministers has only six
unofficial members as the Chief Minister also holds the portfolio
of Labour and Welfare.

286 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

The Legislative Assembly consists of the Speaker, three ex-
Officio members, four unofficial members nominated by the
Governor at his discretion and twenty-five members elected by
simple majority from one-member constituencies. It met for the
first time on 25th April, 1955. Following the visit of Mr. David
Marshall, the then Chief Minister, Mr. Lim Yew Hock, and Che
Abdul Hamid to London in December, 1955, the constitution was
amended to allow for a separate portfolio for the Chief Minister,
thereby increasing the number of elected ministers to seven.

A Conference was held in London from 23rd April to 15th
May, 1956, between the Secretary of State for the Colonies
and a delegation of 13 members representing all the Parties
in the Singapore Legislative Assembly. It was not possible to
reach agreement at this Conference and in June 1956, Mr. Marshall
resigned as Chief Minister. He was succeeded by Mr. Lim Yew
Hock who in December the same year went to London for informal
talks with the Secretary of State with a view to re-opening discus-
sion of a new Constitution. The Conference opened in London on
11th March, 1957, and was attended by an All-Party Delegation
from Singapore led by the Chief Minister and consisting, with him,
of five members—two from the Labour Front and one from the
U.M.N.O.-M.C.A.* Alliance, representing the Government of
Singapore, one member of the Liberal Socialist Party and one
member of the People’s Action Party, representing the two
Opposition Parties in the Assembly. The Governor, Sir Robert
Black, was also present.

The Conference adopted the agenda provisionally agreed in
December 1956, between the Chief Minister and the Secretary of
State. This agenda was as follows:

1. To take note of those items in the Constitutional Proposals
by the United Kingdom Government, as set out in
Appendix 8 of Command Paper 9777, which had
already been agreed to in principle.

2. Internal Security.
3. External Relations and External Defence.

4. Designation of Her Majesty’s Representative in Singapore.

*U.M.N.O.= United Malay National Organisation. M.C.A.= Malayan Chinese Association.

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION 287

5. Date of coming into force of new Constitution.
6. Position of civilian employees of the Armed Forces.
7. Any other business.

The task of the Conference was to agree upon the provisions
to be embodied in a new Constitution for Singapore. It was agreed
in principle at the outset of the Conference that the Constitution
should be designed to confer upon Singapore full internal self-
government, leaving responsibility for external affairs and defence
and the ultimate right to suspend the Constitution still in the hands
of Her Majesty’s Government.

The Conference was successfully concluded on 11th April when
an agreement was signed, providing for the Constitution of a State
of Singapore with full internal self-government and the creation of
a Singapore citizenship. There would be as the Queen’s representa-
tive a Malayan Yang di-Pertuan Negara or Head of State, a Coun-
cil of Ministers presided over by the Prime Minister and a fully
elected Legislative Assembly of 51 members from single-member
constituencies and presided over by a Speaker of their own selec-
tion. The offices of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara and the United
Kingdom Commissioner would, after the first six months of the
Constitution, be separated and held by different individuals. The
United Kingdom Commissioner would remain responsible for ex-
ternal defence and external affairs other than cultural and com-
mercial matters.

Internal security would be the responsibility of the Singapore
Government. However, since internal security and external defence
of Singapore are inter-related, all matters relating to the mainten-
ance of law and orderly government would be of interest and
concern not only to the Singapore Government but also to H.M.
Government in the United Kingdom. Accordingly, the Constitution
would provide for the establishment of a Singapore Internal
Security Council the functions and objects of which would be:

(i) to consult on all questions of policy relating to the maintenance
of public safety and public order;

(ii) to maintain the efficiency of all organs of the Singapore Govern-
ment concerned with internal security; and

(iii) to ensure equal access by both Governments to the services of
these organs and to all information at their disposal.

288 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

The Council would consist of the Prime Minister and two other
Ministers of the Singapore Government, the United Kingdom Com-
missioner and two other British representatives, and (subject to the
formal agreement of the Government of the Federation of Malaya,
terminable upon six months’ notice) one Minister from the Federa-
tion of Malaya who would in effect have the decisive vote.

At the final Plenary Session of the Conference, Her Majesty’s
Government made it clear that their agreement to the internal
security arrangements in particular, and to the new Constitution as
a whole, was dependent upon provision being made to ensure that
persons known to have been engaged in subversive activity should
not be eligible for election to the first Legislative Assembly of the
new State of Singapore. The Singapore Delegation expressed their
Opposition to this departure from normal democratic practice and
protested at the unilateral imposition of this condition.

When the Report on the Constitutional Conference was debated
in the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister successfully moved
the following motion:

That this Assembly—

(1) takes note of the Report of the Singapore Constitutional Con-
ference held in London in March and April 1957, as contained
in Sessional Paper No. Misc. 2 of 1957, and approves the points
on which agreement has been reached; and

(2) approves the stand of the All-Party Delegation in not accepting the
condition stipulated in paragraph 30 of the Report.

Terms of the Order-in-Council required to give effect to decisions
of the 1957 Constitutional Conference were referred to a further
conference scheduled to be held in 1958.

The right to vote in the Legislative Assembly elections has now
been confined to citizens as defined in the Singapore Citizenship
Ordinance, 1957, which became law on 21st October, 1957. In
brief, persons born in Singapore at any time, and persons born
elsewhere to fathers born in Singapore, are citizens of Singapore;
citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies or persons born in
the Federation of Malaya and the British territories in Borneo and
citizens of Commonwealth countries which give Singapore citizens
reciprocal facilities, can after two years’ residence in Singapore,
apply to be registered as Singapore citizens. Aliens with eight years’
residence, who take an oath of loyalty to Singapore and of
allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen and who renounce their
allegiance to the foreign country of which they were subjects or
citizens, are also eligible to apply for Singapore citizenship by

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION 289

registration. There is no disqualification on grounds of sex, literacy
or property. There is a common roll without communal electorates.
Provisions are included in the law for the revocation or deprivation
by law of the citizenship of persons who were not citizens of Singa-
pore by birth. It is expected that section 1 (3) of the British Nation-
ality Act, 1948, will be amended to include Singapore so that
Singapore citizens will be recognised under that Act as British
subjects and Commonwealth citizens.

A special department was rapidly organised to register citizens
during a three-month initial registration period starting on Ist
November, 1957 during which applications were accepted as valid
if they showed prima facie eligibility or entitlement. A processing
system was adopted whereby the application could be made and
approved, the oath taken and the certificate issued in ten minutes,
the average time spent by an applicant before any one officer being
two minutes.

Many public bodies such as the Chinese Chamber of Commerce
and the political parties took up the matter with great enthusiasm.
Temporary registration offices were opened for as long as the whole
initial registration period or as short as one afternoon in the
premises of Chambers of Commerce, clan and guild premises, com-
munity centres, mobile vans, schools, banks and factories. The
department started with fifteen registration teams on Ist November,
1957, and by the end of December 1957, twenty-three teams were
working staggered hours from 8.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. By efficient
organisation, by concessions such as the waiving of stamp fees
by the simplification of application forms and by intensive publi-
city, a large number of persons successfully made their applications
during the initial registration period in order that their names
could be entered on the electoral roll for the Legislative Assembly
in time for the next elections.

Public response was so overwhelming that it was necessary to
ask the public to apply for registration according to the initial letter
of their surnames or according to the Chinese patronymic.

In November, 89,610 citizens were registered and 117,944 in
December: 2,154 applications were deferred for further enquiry in
November and 2,756 in December.

During the debate on the Constitutional proposals, Mr. Marshall,
who had strongly opposed the proposals, challenged Mr. Lee Kuan
Yew, leader of the P.A.P. in the Assembly, to a bye-election con-
test. This challenge was accepted and both resigned from the

290 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Assembly. Later, however, Mr. Marshall declared he was quitting
politics. At the bye-election, a candidate of the opposition Liberal-
Socialist Party won Mr. Marshall’s seat and Mr. Lee was re-elected.

The party pattern of the Assembly became the following:

GOVERNMENT

Labour Front (including 2 Nominated Members) ... 9

UMNO-MCA

Liberal Socialists

P.A.P. (including one detained under the Preserva-
tion of Public Security Ordinance) ... io

Independents

OTHERS

Independent Nominated

Ex-Officio

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wn fb

On 31st December, 1957, the allocation of portfolios in the
Government was as follows :

Minister

The Hon’ble Mr. Lim
Yew Hock, Chief Min-
ister and Minister for
Labour and Welfare

The Hon’ble Mr. Chew
Swee Kee, Minister for
Education

The Hon’ble Inche Abdul
Hamid bin Haji Jumat,
Minister for Local
Government, Lands
and Housing

The Hon’ble Mr. Francis

Thomas, Minister for
Communications and
Works

Subjects
Labour

Welfare
Immigration

Education

Local Government
Lands

Housing

Town and Country
Plannin

(Local) Island Ad-
ministration

Communications
Road Transport
Civil Aviation
Works

Departments

Labour

Workmen’s Compensa-
tion (Relations with)
Central Provident —
Fund Board

Social Welfare

Immigration

Education

Museum and _ Library

(Relations with) Uni-
versity of Malaya,
Singapore Polytechnic

(Relations with) City
Council and Rural
Board, Lands
Survey (Relations with)
Singapore Improve-
ment Trust

Post, Telecommunications
Railway

Civil Aviation
Meteorological Services
Public Works

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

Minister

The Hon'ble Mr. A. J.

Braga, Minister for
Health
The Hon’ble Mr. J. M.
Jumabhoy, Minister
for Commerce and
Industry

The Hon'ble Mr. E. B.
David, c.mM.G., Chief
Secretary

Subjects

Public Health

Commerce
Industry
Production
Trade Policy

External Affairs
Commonwealth
Representatives
Consuls
Pilgrimage
Malaya House
United Nations
Affairs
Christmas and Cocos
Islands
Passport
Internal Security
Law and Order
Banishment
Naturalisation
Press Legisiation
Religious Affairs
Defence

Information
British Council

291

Departments

Medical Services

Commerce and Industry

Imports and Exports

Supplies

Foreign Exchange
(Administration)

Agriculture

Veterinary Services

Fisheries

Fisheries Research

Co-operative Develop-
ment
Registration of Com-
panies
Registration of Trade
Marks

Registration of Business
Names

Tourist Trade

Police
Prisons
Chemistry

Chinese Affairs

Singapore Volunteer
Corps

Royal Malayan Navy,
M.R.N.V.R., M.A.A.F.

Civil Defence Corps

Information Services

Printing

Broadcasting

Film Censor

292 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957
Minister Subjects Departments
Ceremonial Gardens
National Registra- Statistics
tion
Elections
Marriage Registra-
tion
Births and Deaths
Registration
Archives
Establishment
Organisation and
Methods
Office Accommoda-
tion
The Hon’ble Mr. E. P. Legal Advice Official Assignee
Shanks, Q.c., Attorney- Prosecutions Public Trustee
General Bankruptcy Custodian of Property
Trusteeship
The Hon’ble Mr. T. M. Financial Policy Customs
Hart, c.M.G., Financial Revenue Income Tax
Secretary Estate Duty
; Stamp Duty
Banking Accountant-General
Insurance Foreign Exchange
Accounting (policy)
Exchange Control
(policy)
Currency

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The Rendel Commission had inter alia recommended abolishing
the City Council and the Rural Board and replacing them by a
single City and Island Council, to be composed of a Mayor, eight
Aldermen and 24 elected Councillors. The new Government which
took office in April 1955, did not accept these proposals and in-
stead appointed a Committee to enquire into the desirability of
decentralising the powers and functions of the City Council and the
Rural Board and in particular to consider the establishment of
District Councils, the establishment of statutory corporations
responsible for the supply of water, electricity and gas, and the
re-allocation of functions and financial responsibilities between
Government and the local authorities.

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CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION 293

The Committee submitted its Report in January 1956, and
shortly afterwards Government issued a White Paper giving its
proposals for the future reorganisation of Local Government. To
implement the proposals in the White Paper, new legislation con-
tained in the Local Government Bill and the Local Government
Elections Bill was passed by the Assembly in 1957. These two
Ordinances set the pattern of Local Government in Singapore
with a City Council for the City Area, and three District Councils
for the rural areas. Five years’ residential qualification without
citizenship qualification admits to the electoral register for local
government elections.

CITY COUNCIL

The City Council till December 1957, was presided over by a
permanent civil servant as President and consisted of 27 Coun-
cillors, 18 of whom were elected. Nine were unofficials nominated
by the Governor. Under the Local Government Ordinance of 1957,
the administration of the City Area for all Local Government pur-
poses is the responsibility of a City Council of 32 elected Coun-
cillors, electing a Mayor from among their own members. The
first election was held on 2ist December, 1957, returning the
People’s Action Party as the largest party with 13 out of 32 seats:
Mr. Ong Eng Guan, Treasurer of the P.A.P., was elected as the first
Mayor of Singapore.

RURAL BOARD

The rural areas of Singapore are administered by the Rural
Board consisting of a Chairman and 17 members appointed by the
Governor. Seven members represented the seven Rural District
Committees which have existed since 1947 and have served as
very useful liaison bodies between the Board and the rural popula-
tion. The Local Government Ordinance of 1957 provides for three
District Councils, viz. Katong, Serangoon, and Jurong/ Bukit
Panjang to replace the Rural Board. When the new towns have been
established at Woodlands and Bulim under the Master Plan, the
Jurong /Bukit Panjang District will be divided into two Districts,
making four in all. Each District Council will consist of a Chairman
appointed by the Governor, 12 elected Councillors and three Coun-
cillors, nominated by the Governor. The three nominated Coun-
cillors, whose experience will be of assistance to each Council,
will hold office for a period of four years. Thereafter, each District
Council will consist entirely of elected Councillors.

294 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

ADMINISTRATION
The Public Service—Composition

The Government, the City Council, the Harbour Board, the
Improvement Trust and the Telzphone Board, each have their own
schemes of service and the last four recruit staff on the same con-
ditions as the Government. Together they employ about 52,500
people.

Monthly paid employees of the Government are classified in four
divisions. Division I includes the administrative and professional
grades; Divisions II and III] the executive, clerical and technical
grades while Division IV consists mainly of manual workers. In
addition a large number of manual workers are employed in public
works and the like and are paid at daily rates.

Appointments and promotions to all except a very few posts in
Division I are made on the advice of the Public Service Com-
mission. The Public Service Commission Ordinance of 1949 was
repealed, and the new Public Service Commission Ordinance (No.
41 of 1956) came into force on 29th January, 1957. The Chair-
man and the members of the Commission are appointed by the
Governor acting in his discretion after consultation with the Chief
Minister. During 1957 the Commission interviewed 1,099 candi-
dates for 811 appoimtments in Divisions I, II and III of the Public
Service. 301 of these appointments were in the Smgapore Educa-
tion Service. The Commission also considered 14,351 applications
for appointment to 2,441 other vacancies in Divisions II and III.
The Commission also advised on proposals for several amend-
ments to the schemes of service. Under the provisions of the new
Ordinance disciplinary matters are also referred to the Commis-
sion and during 1957 it recommended disciplinary action against
24 officers as a consequence of which some officers were dismissed
and others received lesser penalties.

Staff Training |

Staff training has two equally important functions in Govern-
ment. Firstly, it plays its part in fulfilling the declared policy of
the Government to fill senior posts with locally domiciled officers
as speedily as possible, and the number of expatriate officers
retiring under the provisions of the Retirement from the Public
Service (Compensation) Ordinance has made it necessary to carry
out an expanded programme of scholarship and fellowship awards
for the training of officers. Secondly, the Staff Training School
conducts courses designed to improve the efficiency of the Service.

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION 295

The following comparative figures of training awards made
available since 1950 show the growing importance the Government
has placed on training its officers to fit them for greater respon-
sibilities :

Year Scholar- Fellow- Training
ships ships courses
1950 _ . 13 — 20
1951 27 — 17
1952 . 25 — 31
1953. 34 — 44
1954. 15 — 37
1955... Lie 32 — 58
1956... at 51 25 45
1957... 110 69 96

Ninety-five per cent more awards were taken up in 1957 than in
1956.

The Government Study Awards Programme has been greatly
augmented by the offer of training facilities from member countries
of the Council for Technical Co-operation in South and South-East
Asia, i.e. Colombo Plan territories, and also awards under the
auspices of several United Nations Agencies. During 1957, 32 such
awards were received from Australia and 11 from New Zealand,
and these were the main donor countries offering training facilities.
This Government has also made small contributions under the
Colombo Plan by providing short observation tours and training
courses for officers from other South-East Asian countries in certain
specialised fields.

As distinct from this external training the Staff Training School
carried out a full programme of courses during the year. Ten
Division I officers, 94 Division II officers and 649 Division III
Officers attended courses, conferences and appreciation sessions.
Though the concept of staff training is new to Singapore, it has
proved in the past few years its value to the service and it is now
an integral part of the Government machinery.

Malayanisation

The Government’s policy on Malayanisation enunciated in a
White Paper (No. Cmd. 65/56) which was approved by the Legis-
lative Assembly at its meeting on Sth December, 1956, was carried
out during the year. |

A scheme for compensation for the loss of career for overseas
Officers, operative from 1st January, 1957, was introduced under the
provisions of the Retirement from the Public Service (Compensa-
tion) Ordinance, 1956. At the same time the Secretary of State

296 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

agreed to relinquish his responsibilities in regard to the appoint-
ment, promotion and discipline of public officers and, save as
regards a few specific appointments, the Governor acts on the
advice of the Public Service Commission subject only to the right
to refer a recommendation back to the Commission once and once
only. The result of these measures is that Singapore has achieved,
in advance of self-government, that control of the public service
which is normally associated with the achievement of self-govern-
ment. Reorganisation of the civil service is an essential part of
the policy of Malayanisation. Plans were completed for the mtro-
duction of the General Executive Service with effect from Ist
January, 1958. This will enable a great deal of the day-to-day
conduct of government business to be dealt with at a lower level
than has been customary. It will also ensure for the able officer
an opportunity of rising by merit from the most junior to the most
senior ranks. As far as possible, duties in technical and professional
departments which do not require full academic or professional
qualifications will be assigned to able and experienced officers with
lower qualifications.

Staff Relations

The Singapore Civil Service Joint Council, which was inaugur-
ated in 1955, continued to function smoothly. The main work of
the Council is carried out by a General Purposes Committee
assisted by four permanent grade committees and a number of
ad hoc committees on specific subjects such as rent, overtime pay
and superannuation. A great deal was accomplished through the
settlement of matters at informal meetings of representatives of
the Official and Staff Sides. By this latter method agreement was
reached on the principles on which a reorganisation of a wide
section of the public service could be based. Particularly note-
worthy was the preparation for the introduction of the General
Executive Service with effect from Ist January, 1958, and the
revision of the salaries of some 6,000 subordinate officers in Divi-
sion IV of the public service. The salaries for Division IV officers
have been completely revised and codified and at the same time
outstanding claims have been settled.

There was one strike in July 1957 among Revenue officers
of the Customs Department but the men concerned returned to
work after a week-end. Their claims were still being discussed at
the close of the year. In general, the relationship between the
Government and its employees was most cordial.

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XIX
The Arts

INGAPORE IS so often thought of as a commercial entrepdt,

a market place for the commodities of East and West, that its
Arts are often overlooked and forgotten. Yet here in unique asso-
ciation are the cultures of the peoples who have made this island
their home. The music, drama, painting and dancing of the West
are produced and enjoyed alongside the music, drama, dancing
and arts of the major Eastern nations.

The Government in 1957 approved a grant of $100,000 for the
establishment of a new Fine Arts and Cultural Relations Section
within the Ministry of Education to be headed by a Cultural Affairs
Officer. A Cultural Advisory Council would be appointed to
examine cultural schemes and make recommendations to him with
the following defined objects:

(1) to provide a stimulus to the development of the various
cultures represented in Singapore;

(11) to co-ordinate and encourage private efforts in any field
of the arts; and

(ili) to educate the ordinary citizen towards a more active
appreciation of the arts.

There are a large number of societies for the promotion and
cultivation of different aspects of the arts, but hitherto their activ-
ities have been unco-ordinated because the majority of their efforts
were by one individual or one organisation. Some, nevertheless,
have been highly successful while others had to be abandoned
because of shortage of funds.

The Singapore Arts Council which was established in 1955 as
a co-ordinating body has not yet had time to make itself felt over
the whole field of the arts: it nevertheless performs a very useful
function in co-ordinating activities and in establishing international
contacts.

298 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

With the formation of the Cultural Advisory Council and the
Fine Arts and Cultural Relations Section under a Cultural Affairs
Officer, it is hoped that worthwhile projects will not be abandoned
for lack of funds, and talent, either among adults or young people,
will not wither for want of encouragement.

MUSIC

Traditional Chinese music played on the instruments that have
shown no change through the years, is performed by groups of
enthusiasts who have to face the musical invasion of the ‘modern’
Chinese music which is couched in idioms more familiar to the
popular music of the West. This competition, coming mostly from
the Cantonese and Mandarin songs of the Chinese films, has
the ready appeal of Western-mode orchestration and the music is
sung and played at all leading hotels, restaurants, amusement
parks, cabarets (dance halls), and is broadcast over radio and
rediffusion. This music has received an even greater impetus
through the personal appearance in the colony of leading Chinese
singers and film stars, and the regular practice of the big hotels
and night clubs in engaging the services of attractive Chinese
singers has made modern Chinese songs, and even traditional and
folk songs rendered in the modern style, an integral feature of
the cultural life of Singapore.

Chinese music as practised by the more scholarly amateur has
flourished in the routine practices, music classes and meetings for
collective music-making of various societies. The China Society
has again been in the forefront in organising instruction and pro-
moting interest in Peking opera. The Er Woo Amateur Music and
Dramatic Association has assisted particularly in cultivating Teo-
chew music and Han dramas.

Interest in Chinese music has grown in the Primary and Middle
schools which have (wherever possible) arranged the inclusion of
class singing and choral activity among the curricular and extra-
curricular activities of the students.

Malay music in the Colony has shown three distinct trends:

(a) the adherence to the traditional styles inherent in the pan-
tun and kronchong and folk songs with simple melodic
accompaniment;

(b) the acceptance of Western orchestration which blends
beautifully with the Malay melodies whose lilting
rhythms lend themselves admirably to orchestral treat-
ment;

THE ARTS 299

(c) the unchanging traditions preserved in the ceremonial and
serious music for religious and semi-religious occasions,
when the music performed is played upon instruments
of Arabic and ancient origin.

Indian music would also reveal the same trends, popular and
classical and ceremonial. Songs culled from Hindustani and Tamil
films that have become very popular in the Colony are sung and
enjoyed not only by large numbers of the Indian population but
also by a vast majority of the Malayan people who are fond of
these films. It is also not unusual to find the Baba-Chinese enjoying
the popular Hindustani hit tunes.

Classical music had a good following during the year, mainly
through the recitals of Carnatic music organised by the Indian Fine
Arts Society. Concerts sponsored by this society included vocal
recitals by Kumari Abhirama Sundari of the T.K.S. Brothers
Dramatic Troupe, Mrs. Rukmani Rajagopalan, Vidwan Nanirajan
and a Veena recital by Asthana Vidwan Kalyanakrishna
Bhagavathar, of Travancore, Professor of Veena at the Madras
Carnatic Music College.

Ceremonial music is played on traditional instruments by temple
musicians for marriage ceremonies and other special purposes, and
the ready acceptance of this has become part of the way of living
of the domiciled Indian peoples.

Western music has a wide following, and here again popular
song hits from the American and English films have captured the
interest of the vast majority of the English and even non-English
speaking population. Serious music is, however, heard in the church
and concert hall, but apart from the work of various church choirs,
organised concerts and recitals of choral and orchestral music are
in the hands of the Colony’s two leading musical organisations, the
Singapore Musical Society and the Singapore Chamber Ensemble.
During the year the Musical Society presented several concerts
mainly featuring visiting artists, among whom were Julius Katchen,
Hans Richter Haaser (Pianoforte), the Italian tenor Luigi Infantino
and the violinist Ruggiero Ricci. Two recitals were presented in
association with the American National Theatre and Academy in
which two famous American artists appeared, Richard Tucker
(Tenor) and Marian Anderson (Contralto). Participation of mem-
bers of the Society was centred around two concerts, a choral-
orchestral concert in September when Mendelssohn’s Elijah was
presented and a concert of Christmas music and Carols in
December.

300 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

In addition, the Society continued to hold its annual Pianoforte
Competition, and sponsored the appearance of the Musica Viva
players of Radio Malaya in chamber music recitals.

The Singapore Chamber Ensemble drawing its membership
mainly from among the English-speaking groups of the domiciled
communities continued to make its mark not only in choral-
orchestral concerts but also in its unique contribution in bringing
good music into the homes of the people through its institution of
regular Household Concerts. These monthly concerts present
chamber music for various string combinations (with or without the
pianoforte), vocal music, and music intended for performance in
surroundings smaller than concert halls. The Ensemble also
presented, from its own resources and at the appropriate season,
concerts of Easter and Christmas music. At the former, the
principal work was Handel’s Solomon and at the latter, Vaughan
Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols in addition to Christmas
music selected from Handel’s Messiah.

The Free Musical Soirées, which were organised at the Cultural
Centre, proved extremely popular and provided opportunities for
well-known local musicians to appear in public. They have also
provided an appropriate concert platform for sponsoring first
appearances of Singapore music students returning home after
periods of study overseas, and for the presentation of other
musicians in Singapore on a short visit. Some of the artists
who have appeared are Karen Sun (Hongkong soprano), Geoffrey
Tankard (London pianist and examiner to the Associated Board
of the Royal Schools of Music), Goh Heng Leong (Singapore
violinist) and Lim Pee Yaw (Singapore pianist).

In addition to giving concerts of string music with his String
Orchestra, Mr. Goh Soon Tioe, a Singapore violin teacher, emerged
on the musical scene of Singapore as an impressario and success-
fully presented two recitals. In April he appeared in a violin recital
with Noreen Stokes and later in the year he sponsored a very
interesting concert with Ida Presti and Alexander Lagoya, French
duo guitarists who, in addition to items on their own, played a
concerto with the Goh Soon Tioe String Orchestra.

Interest in good music among students of the University of
Malaya was shown by the annual musical concert which included
a symphony (No. 25 in G minor) by Mozart and the Peasant
Cantata by J. S. Bach. The latter was performed by the full choir
of the University Music Society accompanied by orchestra.

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THE ARTS 301

Music-making among the younger generation was centred around
the routine practices of the Children’s Orchestra and the Junior
Symphony Orchestra, although no public concerts were given.
School music as in previous years was confined to the educational
programme for class singing and a few of the larger schools had
organised choral singing among the students. The most significant
feature was however the increased popularity of the music examina-
tions conducted by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of
Music. More than 1,200 candidates appeared for the examinations
in various branches of practical study, pianoforte performing claim-
ing the vast majority. Others were tested in violin-playing, solo-
singing, general musicianship and some groups presented them-
selves for class singing. The visiting examiners were more than
satisfied with the efforts of the majority of the music students.

Radio Malaya continued to make its contribution to cultural
advancement in Singapore and several recitals by local and visiting
artists were broadcast. Radio Malaya’s programmes featuring
classical recorded music increased in scope and interest and
the growing popularity of classical music may be gauged from the
increasing number of requests for inclusion of items of serious
music in request programmes. Radio Malaya played its part
in building up a National Music Library by making recordings
of many types of Malayan music, much of which is fast disappear-
ing with the advance of Western ideas into the smaller towns and
kampongs of the Federation of Malaya. However, by far the most
significant contribution of Radio Malaya to the musical life of
Singapore has been the formation of its new string orchestra which
broadcast successfully several programmes of classical string
music.

The British Council was again active in the sponsorship of local
- musical as well as other artistic endeavour and frequently lent its
premises for the meetings of the organising bodies. The Council
provided on loan music scores and recordings of British works and
assisted various organisations in negotiating the loan of music and
arranging for permission to perform certain works.

The advent of the long playing recordings did much to popularise
Western classical music once thought to be the preserve of the high-
brow connoisseur.

DRAMA

Two distinct trends that may be described as ‘Modern’ and
‘Classical’ characterise Chinese drama acted in the Colony. The

302 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

first category includes work that is not in any way different from
Western drama in the use of dialogue as against the use of mime.

Classical Chinese drama, however, is never completely separated
from music both vocal and instrumental and this type of art form
is more akin to Western opera than anything else. The music,
weighed heavily on the percussion side, provides in rhythmic
accompaniment a running commentary, supporting the lines and
actions of the speakers. Another significant feature of Chinese
opera is the interpolation of other related arts such as dancing
and sword fighting, and it is not uncommon for producers to
mclude, when required, elaborate dances, and well disciplined
formation movements to simulate ancient battle scenes. A charac-
teristic feature of Chinese dancing in such situations is the highly
organised ‘Martial Art of Self-Defence’ known as Kunthau. Acting
ability alone is not sufficient. The players must be physically fit
to meet the heavy demands made upon them by the exertions
required for carrying out the routine exercises and for wielding
and manipulating the cumbersome ancient weapons that lend so
much realism to the production.

Chinese drama is highly colourful and period costumes used are
true to tradition. However, stage property and scenery is reduced
to the bare minimum and the audience is expected to have some
knowledge of the symbolism used by the actors in the various
gestures and postures.

Chinese drama is kept very much alive by the performances in
different dialects of professional wayang companies who play at the
amusement parks and tour the countryside at all seasons of the
year.

However, there are local societies and clubs for amateurs includ-
ing, among its members people from all walks of life. These
clubs stage excellent prformances on special feast day and other
occasions.

Puppet shows (Hockchew and Hokkien) continue to provide
entertainment to vast crowds of children (and adults), particularly
in the rural areas, and these performances have become very
specialised in the demands made upon the performers whose
mimicry and skill of manipulation have raised a simple countryside
entertainment to the level of a fine art.

Malay drama represented by the bangsawan is a form of enter-
tainment nearer opera than drama and the bangsawan is unique in
that, in it, still flourishes the art of extemporisation. The more
competent artists compose lyrics in the middle of an actual
performance. This ability to throw off verses composed on a topical

THE ARTS 303

subject, situation or even about certain personalities present at the
performance is reminiscent of the boria entertainment found in
several pockets in the Federation and especially in Penang.

There is danger of the real theatre of the bangsawan being
pushed out of existence by the invasion of the more popular enter-
tainment of the Malay films and the joget modern which has
already claimed many adherents particularly among the Malays
of the younger generation.

Performers of Indian drama received a tremendous stimulus from
the visit of the famous South Indian players, the T.K.S. Brothers
Dramatic Troupe. This company played to several full houses both
in Singapore and in the Federation and in presenting plays of
historical, cultural and social interest set high standards for those
interested in acting and producing Tamil plays.

Interest in Indian dancing has been focussed mainly on the classi-
cal traditions of South India. Several performances have been
given throughout the year by visiting artists and by students
resident in the Colony, and Indians and others living here have
had no difficulty in becoming acquainted with examples of the pure
art in either Bharatha Natyam or Khatha Kali. The formalised and
stylized movements of the body, the intricate footwork required
by the complicated rhythmic patterns dictated by the music, the
expressive use of arms, hands, eyes and neck all merge together
in an artistic combination requiring skill and agility of the highest
order.

Recitals by teachers like K. P. Bhaskar and his dancer wife
Shanta Bhaskar and their pupils have brightened many a concert
programme with their glittering costumes and their joyous rhythms.

The newly formed Tagore Society has played a small part during
the year in encouraging performances of Indian drama, dancing
and music.

Western drama performed in English has had a new lease of life
with the opening of the Cultural Centre Theatre which has made it
possible for small companies with limited financial resources to
stage plays with the full range of stage and lighting effects. The
Stage Club presented four successful productions: The White
Sheep of the Family (comedy), Someone Waiting (drama), All for
Mary (comedy) and A Likely Tale (comedy).

The smaller proportions of the Centre make it possible for drama
companies to think in terms of ‘seasons’.

Broadcasting has played an important part in promoting drama.
Apart from the radio plays broadcast in the English network, much

304 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

work was done during the year in presenting radio plays in Chinese,
Malay and Tamil. Most of these plays were written by local authors
(many of whom are on the staff of Radio Malaya), and they were
produced and performed by Malayans.

Towards the end of the year the Cultural Centre became the
venue of a season of drama staged by the only professional
company to visit Singapore during the year—the International
Shakespeareana Company who in 14 performances presented some
of the comedies and tragedies of Shakespeare and plays by George
Bernard Shaw and other modern writers.

VISUAL ARTS

Singapore has been singularly fortunate in having among its
residents professional Chinese painters of high attainments, well-
informed amateurs and serious students banded together in the
various art societies, who have, both by their work and their
enthusiasm for the subject as a whole, broadened the range of
artistic achievement and appreciation.

A large number of interesting exhibitions were organised by the
China Society, the Society of Chinese Artists, and the Singapore
Art Society for the ever increasing number of people who are
interested in art, either as actual painters or as interested con-
noisseurs, and who attend such exhibitions.

In April, the China Society in association with the Society of
Chinese Artists and the Singapore Art Society sponsored an exhibi-
tion of the works of a group of Hong Kong artists selected by the
Hong Kong Arts Society.

Eight exhibitions of high standard were sponsored by the China
Society throughout the year and these included the work of the
renowned Indonesian painter Basoeki Abdullah and that of some
of Singapore’s own distinguished artists such as Wu Tsai Yen,
Sunyee, Liu Kang and Chen Wen Shi.

The China Society through its Academy of Arts continued to
play its educational role in this field and the Art class held at the
Cultural Centre at Canning Rise continued to make steady progress
with a fairly regular enrolment of 50 students. At least a quarter
of this number had enrolled as students for Chinese-style painting.

The Singapore Art Society also continued to make steady pro-
gress with its art classes and exhibitions specially designed to
promote the practice of art among students. The Inter-School
Art Exhibition of the Society has come to be a significant annual
event. Notable among the several other exhibitions organised by

THE ARTS 305

the Society during the year was the one-man show of the work of
Cheong Soo Pieng held at the premises of the British Council.

Apart from sponsoring the works of prominent local and visiting
artists and that of promising and talented young artists, the Society
organised during the year the first exhibition of work by its own
members. This proved most stimulating to all concerned, parti-
cularly to participating members.

An interesting wing of the Society is its Photographic Group
who also held a very successful members’ exhibition in April.
Members of this group are particularly interested in the pictorial
aspects of photography and the high standard of work attained can
be gauged by the fact that to date no less than eleven members
have been elected as Associates and two as Fellows of the Royal
Photographic Society.

In conformity with its policy of co-operation with other cultural
bodies, the Art Society sponsored in association with the Alliance
Francaise an exhibition of French poster art.

More than 30 paintings by young Singapore artists were sent to
the First Young Asian Art Exhibition sponsored in Tokyo by the
Japan Cultural Forum.

PHOTOGRAPHY

The Photographic Society of Singapore founded in 1950 and
with a membership exceeding 700 is the largest cultural organisa-
tion in the specialised field of photographic art. Through its efforts
in encouraging work of high pictorial and technical standards,
interest in this branch of the arts increased considerably during
the year under review and many members of the local society were
successful in getting their prints hung in salons and exhibitions in
40 different countries. Many won honours and medals. In keeping
with the advanced requirements of this colour-conscious generation,
‘the Society has formed a Colour Group and regular monthly
meetings were held for the study and criticism of colour work by
the members.

Quarterly members’ competitions were held, a Pan-Malayan
Exhibition was sponsored and the annual Singapore International
Salon organised again. This last attracted more than 2,000 entries
from 41 different countries. In opening the exhibition the Chief
Minister Mr. Lim Yew Hock said, “This Salon is not only a day in
our Singapore cultural calendar, but a day in the international
calendar of practitioners of the photographers’ art. In this you
have played your part in building up a more balanced picture of
us Overseas.’

306 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

To help promote tourism in the Colony, exhibition prints of
members of the Society are hung on the walls of the reception
lounge of the Singapore International Airport. Prints are also hung
from time to time in the gallery of Raffles Museum.

It was a major achievement for the Society when five of its
members received recognition of their active interest in the promo-
tion of photography in Singapore from the Society of the Inter-
national Federation of Photographic Art (F.I.A.P.), an international
photographic organisation with headquarters in Switzerland.

XX

Sport

LMOST EVERY branch of major world sports is played in

Singapore, and each has its own controlling body. Among the
more popular are badminton, soccer, hockey, basketball, netball,
swimming, cricket, tennis, and rugger, golf, sailing and rowing,
water-skiing, boxing, judo, table tennis, weightlifting, baseball, and
bicycle-, motor-, and horse-racing.

Great progress has been maintained in providing facilities for
sport for about 300,000 school children in Singapore, in order to
provide opportunities for as many pupils as possible rather than
to concentrate on the skilled few.

SINGAPORE OLYMPIC AND SPORTS COUNCIL

During 1957 the Singapore Olympic and Sports Council made its
preparations for the third in the series of Asian Games, which have
gained considerable prestige among the Asian countries, and for the
Empire and Commonwealth Games to be held in Cardiff in July
1958.

Plans were made to take part in the following events: athletics,
basketball, boxing, hockey, tennis, shooting, soccer, swimming,
weightlifting and water-polo.

ATHLETICS

Eighteen civilian and Services athletic clubs are affiliated to the
Singapore Amateur Athletic Association. The 19th Annual Cham-
pionships of the Association on 26th and 27th July, 1957, was also
the occasion of the opening of the Farrer Park Athletic Centre by
the Governor. Two new events were introduced at the Meeting—
the 6 miles walk and 6 miles run—and five new records were
established.

A team of 64, including 4 officials, took part in the Federation
of Malaya Amateur Athletic Union Championships held at the

308 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. The success of the Singapore
athletes is shown in the following summary of the results:

Men Women
Firsts sae sa 10 5
Seconds a aa 8 2
Thirds se aie 2 1

The Official Team Championship was discontinued in 1957. How-
ever, on the usual points system, Singapore would have won the
Championships for the ninth successive year, and the ladies
championship for the third successive year with an aggregate of
54 points for the men and 23 points for the ladies. Singapore
athletes created five new Malayan records in the 1 mile, 6 miles
run, 6 miles walk, pole vault, and throwing the javelin (women).
The Singapore relay team (4 < 110 yards) equalled the Malayan
record of 43.7 secs.

The S.A.A.A. organised an athletic meet on City Day, and the
Annual Combined Services v Civilians Meet. The former was won
by the Singapore Achilles Club, the latter by the Civilians.

BADMINTON

Badminton continued to be one of the most popular games in
Singapore in 1957. The Singapore Badminton Association, affiliated
to the Badminton Association of Malaya, had a membership of
76 clubs and associations at the end of the year.

In preparation for the defence of the Thomas Cup in 1958, the
S.B.A. conducted a ten-day training course for six prospective
Thomas Cup players, on behalf of the Badminton Association of
Malaya.

The annual tournament organised by the S.B.A. was again a
success with 477 entries for the 20 events. Although entries for
the 16 individual events were slightly less than the year before,
there was a marked increase in entries received in the four team
events—56 as against 48 the previous year. The S.B.A. competed
in the annual inter-State Foong Seong Cup Competition. Singapore
lost to Selangor in the Zone Final by 4 matches to 5, after having
beaten Johore and Malacca. In the Heah Joo Seang Cup competi-
tion, Singapore lost to Penang by 3 matches to 4 in the Zone Final
after having beaten Malacca. Singapore took part in the Merdeka
Championships held in Kuala Lumpur to commemorate the
achievement of independence by the Federation of Malaya.

SPORT 309

A Singapore team was sent to Bangkok to play exhibition
matches at the invitation of the Thailand Badminton Association.
The S.B.A. played host to the Japanese and Pakistani Thomas Cup
teams. In both the friendly matches, Singapore beat the visitors by
5 games to nil.

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

More than 1,000 organised games were promoted by the Singa-
pore Amateur Football Association and its 85 affiliated clubs and
associations. The S.A.F.A., with headquarters at the Jalan Besar
Stadium, is affiliated to the U.K. Football Association, the Fede-
ration Internationale de Football Association, the Singapore
Olympic and Sports Council, and the Football Association of
Malaya. Senior and Junior fixtures were split into five sections.
Matches were also organised by the Business Houses League, the
Singapore Government Services League and the Community
League.

Singapore again was visited by many visiting soccer teams in-
cluding the British, U.S.A., Bulgarian and Indian Olympic teams;
the Hunters Football Club of Mysore, India; the South China,
Kowloon Motor Bus and Eastern Athletic teams of Hong Kong;
the national teams of Indonesia, Thailand and Burma; the Hapoel
Petak Tikva Team of Israel; as well as teams from Selangor and
Johore.

The Singapore team toured Hong Kong and Saigon for the
Hong Kong Interport series of games which was won by Hong
Kong by 4 goals to 2.

The plan to engage a professional coach for six months in
conjunction with the Football Association of Malaya failed to
materialise because of the difficulty of recruiting a suitable candi-
date, but this did not in any way affect the training of Singapore
players by Mr. R. B. I. Pates, Mr. John Then and Inche Harith bin
Omar, the latter two having recently undergone comprehensive
coaching courses in the U.K.

RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL

The outstanding event of the season which ran from September
1957, to March 1958, was the tour of the Hong Kong XV who
beat the Singapore Services and drew with the Civilians, but held
the Combined Singapore team to a draw in a floodlit game at
Jalan Besar Stadium.

310 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

In the H.M.S. Malaya Cup, the Singapore sides failed to reach
the Final in which Selangor defeated Johore. The All-Malayan
Civilians beat the All-Malayan Services, and, in the mam repre-
sentative match of the year, the South narrowly beat the North.
In the All-Blues Cup for Asian players, Perak defeated Singapore
in the final.

The number of teams in Singapore increased to 37 including
clubs, schools and Service units, with the Singapore Cricket
Club and the Royal Air Force probably still the strongest sides.
The Referees Society found referees for the major games. There
was a welcome increase in school rugby and 12 schools produced
teams at one time or another compared with 7 in the previous

season.
CRICKET

The chief events of the cricket season were the return visit from
the Hong Kong Cricket League, and a tour of Malaya the first
since 1945 by the Ceylon President’s XI. The match against
Hong Kong ended in a draw after an unsuccessful bid by Singa-
pore to score 76 runs in 64 minutes. In the match against the
Ceylon President’s XI, Singapore made a good recovery in its
second innings with the Captain, John Woodhouse, scoring 44
runs after being dismissed in the first innings for a low score.
Following upon Singapore’s declaration, the Ceylon cricketers took
up the challenge of making 100 runs in 40 minutes, and at close of
play were only 28 runs short. The Ceylon visitors proved their
superiority when in Kuala Lumpur they beat an All-Malayan team
which included five Singapore players.

The Singapore-Federation game was won by Singapore by 49
runs through accurate bowling and good fielding. North beat South
in Singapore by 10 wickets. M. C. Kailasapathy (Malacca) captained
the South side with 10 Singapore players.

The Singapore Cricket Association, with 21 affiliated clubs,
organised another programme of keenly contested matches during
1957. Twenty-five teams took part in the junior and senior league
tournaments. A combined Services team beat a Civilian team by
6 wickets to lead 3-2 in the series.

HOCKEY

The Singapore Hockey Association affiliated to the International
Hockey Federation and the Singapore Olympic and Sports Coun-
cil promoted a total of 147 games. These included ‘Knock-out’

SPORT | 311

and ‘League’ matches among its 37 -affiliated clubs, the annual
Local Quadrangular among civilians, R.A.F., Army and the
Royal Navy, and International matches.

The Six-a-Side competition was organised on a grand scale and
proved a great success. It was played on one day and attracted
66 teams.

The Civilians beat a Combined Services team 7 goals to nil in
a game played in aid of the Poppy Day Fund.

Singapore was invited by the Malayan Hockey Federation to
play two games during the Merdeka celebrations at Kuala Lumpur.
The Singapore team lost both games. Singapore did well at
inter-State matches, beating Negri Sembilan and losing to Selangor
in the Triangular Meet at Kuala Lumpur; beating Johore, Negri
Sembilan and Selangor in the Quadrangular at Singapore; and
beating Perak in a friendly game at Ipoh.

LAWN TENNIS

Players from the 13 clubs affiliated to the Singapore Lawn Tennis
Association took part in the annual Singapore Open championships.
Mr. Ong Chew Bee and Mrs. Gladys Chua each won in these
singles, doubles and mixed doubles matches. Henry Pang won the
junior title for the second time in succession. The number of junior
entries was again encouraging, and the standard and keenness
displayed promises well for the future tennis in Singapore.

Y.M.C.A. recovered the Kliny Cup by beating their strongest
rivals, the S.C.R.C. In inter-State competition, Singapore won the
Chua Choon Leong Cup, for the fifth time in succession, by beating
Perak 3 matches to 2 at Kuala Lumpur.

In the annual North v South fixtures, the South team recaptured
the Guillemard Cup, but the ladies’ team lost the McCabe-Reay
Cup back to the North.

Singapore competed in the 1957 Open Malayan Championships
winning the Junior Doubles title. J. Fryer of Singapore, with a
Johore State player as partner, won the Veteran Doubles. The 1957
Open Malayan Championships made Malayan tennis history as
the competition in which the greatest number of foreign players
participated. Entries came from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ceylon,
Viet-Nam and Thailand.

Leading players from Ceylon and New Zealand played exhibi-
tion matches in Singapore. Attendances at these and other matches
showed the gaining popularity of tennis in the Colony.

312 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

WEIGHTLIFTING

Singapore won the ‘Merdeka’ Cup at the Third South-East
Asian Weightlifting Championships held during the Merdeka
celebrations in September 1957 at Kuala Lumpur. In addition,
five gold and two silver medals were won individually by members
of the Singapore contingent.

The Singapore Amateur Weightlifting Federation and its 10
affiliates trained teams for the Third Asian Games and the Empire
and Commonwealth Games.

TABLE TENNIS

During 1957 the Singapore Table Tennis Association, an affiliate
of the International Table Tennis Federation and the Table Tennis
Federation of Asia, organised the National Championships. Eleven
events were held and the major events in these championships
were the Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles and the Senior Inter-Club
League Competition. The winners of these events were Poon Weng
Hoe, Myra Rodrigues and the Chinese Sport Association.

GOLF

Golf is played the whole year round. It gains steadily in popul-
arity and the five clubs on Singapore Island are well supported,
there being some 2,000 active players.

The Royal Singapore Golf Club (36 holes) and the Royal Island
Club (18 holes) both have good, well laid out courses in beautiful
surroundings. Dai Rees and Ken Bousfield played exhibition
matches at both clubs on their return journey from the Canada
Cup Competition held in Tokyo in 1957.

Of the two major competitions held annually, the Malayan
Amateur Championship was played at the Royal Singapore Golf
Club, and the Colony of Singapore Open Amateur Championship
at the Royal Island Club. An Interport match against Hong Kong
was played in September at Hong Kong when Hong Kong won.
This event is to be played in Singapore in 1958.

BASKETBALL

The popularity of basketball in Singapore continued to increase.
The Singapore Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation, the parent
body for the game, has about 40 affiliated clubs with a total
membership of over 10,000.

SPORT 313

The Federation, affiliated to the International Amateur Basket-
ball Federation and the Singapore Olympic and Sports Council,
held two league tournaments for both seniors and juniors in Singa-
pore and sent a number of teams overseas. The Singapore team
competed in the ‘Merdeka’ Cup Basketball Tournament at Kuala
Lumpur and secured second place. It was placed fourth in the
Chiang Kai Shek Cup competition held in Taiwan. Among the
visitors in 1957 were men and women players from Indonesia,
Thailand, Hong Kong and Cambodia.

SWIMMING

The Singapore Amateur Swimming Association, the controlling
organisation, is affiliated to the Federation Internationale de Nata-
tion Amateur (FINA) under whose rules all competitions sponsored
by the Association and its eleven affiliates were held.

10 men and 5 ladies competed in all the swimming events of
the Merdeka Games held in Kuala Lumpur in September. Singa-
pore was placed first in eight events. Two records were broken by
Singapore swimmers—1,500 ms. Freestyle (Men) and 200 ms.
Breast Stroke (Orthodox) (Men)—with times of 21 mins. 43.8 secs.
and 2 mins. 55 secs. respectively.

The annual Water-Polo league was also held during the year.

The Annual Swimming Championship was split into two sections
—the Open Championship and the Junior Championship for
children under 17 years. Three records in the Junior events were
broken.

Over 250 school-children took part in the first City Day Cele-
brations Swimming Carnival held at the Farrer Park Swimming
Pool.

WATER-SKIING

-Water-skiing is well supported in Singapore, whose calm sur-
rounding waters are ideal for this sport. There are seven clubs,
based on points as far apart as Pasir Ris and Pasir Panjang,
Ponggol Point and Loyang. All these groups come under the control
of the Malayan Waterski Association, who organise the annual
National Championships and other events.

Competitors from Borneo, Hong Kong and the Federation of
the Malaya came to Singapore in 1957 to take part in the Cham-
pionships. Powerful outboard motors are favoured for towing-
boats in Singapore which has achieved a standard well up to that
prevailing in other parts of the world.

314 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

SINGAPORE YOUTH SPORTS CENTRE

There were well over 600,000 attendances at the Singapore Youth
Sports Centre at Kallang in 1957, in spite of the fact that there
were only 15,430 people registered as members. About 50 per cent
were spectators. In addition, 352 sportsmen and sportswomen from
Malaya, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Taiwan resided in the four
dormitories during this period.

Activities during the year comprised basketball, badminton, table
tennis, volleyball, gymnastics, bodybuilding, weightlifting, boxing,
judo, wrestling, tai keat kun (kuntow), softball and stoolball. There
were major tournaments in basketball, volleyball, gymnastics (for
the first time in the history of Singapore) and table tennis. There
were also a number of smaller competitions in all the above games
including badminton, arranged by Mr. Wong Peng Soon, a resident
coach.

A significant fact was that four big Chinese language schools
used the facilities at the Centre for their basketball tournaments.
A number of others used the badminton and table tennis facilities,
while the Inter-School Basketball Tournament and the Foong Seong
Cup fixture between Seremban and Singapore were played at the
Centre, which was also used for periods of concentrated training
by the Singapore Badminton Association, by the Singapore Hockey
Association and by a group of Singapore’s top athletes.

SAILING AND ROWING

The Royal Singapore Yacht Club of whicn Her Majesty the
Queen is Patron, was well supported in 1957 and had a total of
1,078 members. It organises half-yearly regattas and other races
and maintains a register of all yachts in the Colony.

The 1957 sailing year opened with the annual Regatta which,
helped by a fresh north-east breeze, was a very enjoyable and
successful day. The annual Passage Race to Changi was a some-
what tedious affair due to light airs for the greater part of the race,
but the R.A.F. Changi Club’s Regatta more than compensated for
others and provided possibly the best sailing of the Regatta series.
The ‘Round the Island’ race was again organised for the August
Bank Holiday weekend after being abandoned in 1956.

The rowing membership of the Club increased during 1957. The
Club was host to the Far Eastern Amateur Racing Association
Annual Interport Regatta in which crews from the Rangoon Uni-
versity Boat Club, Penang Boat Club, Miri Belait Boat Club and

SPORT 315

Sportvereniging Pladju competed in the coxed fours, while pairs
and sculls were also contested by the Club Nautique de Saigon.
Members of the Club left the Colony once to participate in a
Regatta organised by the Penang Boat Club and returned victorious
after a hard fought battle.

MOTOR RACING

Motor racing in Singapore is organised by the Singapore Motor
Club and the Services Motor Club. During 1957, 12 sporting
events were held. These included the Stanvac Economy Run, Shell
Malayan Motor Rally, Wakefield Trophy Trial, Cross Country
Rally, Lim Chu Kang Half Mile Sprint, Gap Hill Climb, Princess
Elizabeth Estate Rally and Road Safety and Courtesy Trial. A
successful circuit race was held at Changi.

This sport gained in popularity and at the end of the year, the
Singapore Motor Club had a membership of 430.

XXI

Physical Features and
Natural History

LANDSCAPE AND CLIMATE

HE COLONY OF SINGAPORE consists of Singapore Island

itself and a number of adjacent islets, together with Christmas
Island. The Cocos (Keeling) Islands, ceased to form part of the
Colony of Singapore on 23rd November, 1955, and were placed
under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia.

SINGAPORE ISLAND

Singapore Island is situated off the southern extremity of the
Malay Peninsula to which it is joined by a causeway carrying a
road and railway. The Straits of Johore separating the Island from
the mainland are about three-quarters of a mile wide. The island
is 26 miles from east to west and 14 miles from north to south
containing 209.5 square miles. The city of Singapore covers the
central southern part of the island in latitude 1° 17’ North and
longitude 103° 50’ East.

The forty-odd nearby islets have a total area of 15 square miles.
The largest are Pulau Tekong (6.9 square miles), Pulau Ubin (4.0
square miles), Pulau Blakang Mati (1.1 square mile).

Three structural units, each with a distinct surface expression,
combine to form the Island of Singapore. In the centre and north
coarse-textured, granite-like rocks give rise to low, rounded un-
dulations averaging about 200 feet in height while a range of hills,
including Bukit Timah (581 feet), Bukit Gombak (437 feet), Bukit
Panjang (434 feet) and Bukit Mandai (422 feet) forms a raised
western rim to this rolling countryside. In the west and south of
the Island, shales and sandstones form a succession of scarps and
vales; the eastern third is occupied by a platform of poorly con-
solidated sands and gravels, with its surface at about 100 feet.

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PHYSICAL FEATURES 317

All three of these structures are frequently masked by sands and
clays laid down by the present-day river system, while round the
coast there are also deposits of mangrove mud and coral rock. The
Island’s river system has been considerably modified by artificial
means. The headwaters of three of the main rivers, the Kallang,
Whampoa and Seletar have been impounded to form reservoirs,
while in most closely built-up areas streams have been confined
within concrete-lined channels. In other places subterranean pipes
have been laid down to relieve flooding, or lateral channels have
been cut at the edge of flood plains to draw off storm-water from
valley centres.

LANDSCAPE AND CLIMATE
Singapore Island

The climate of the Island is characterised by uniform tempera-
ture, high humidity and copious rainfall. The days are hot and,
owing to the high humidity, somewhat oppressive, but the nights
are usually cool enough for refreshing sleep. The average maxi-
mum temperature for the whole year is 87° F. and the average
minimum 75° F. The highest temperature recorded in 1957 was
93° F. and the lowest temperature recorded was 70° F. There are
no well-marked dry and wet seasons but May, June and July are
normally the least wet months with monthly rainfall averaging
between 64 and 7 inches. From August to December monthly rain-
fall steadily increases to an average of 104 inches in December,
which is usually the wettest month of the year. During the remain-
ing months of the year, there is normally a subsidiary rainfall
minimum of just under 7 inches in February and a subsidiary
maximum of almost 8 inches in March. December 1957 was wetter
than average with a rainfall of 16.35 inches while February 1957
was the driest month of the year with a rainfall of only 2.26 inches.
The average annual rainfall is 95.66 inches but in 1957 the total
annual rainfall was 79.15 inches.

Early records make it clear that the soils of the Island were
originally red earths and laterites, but erosion consequent upon
forest clearance has resulted in the washing away of the surface
layers of the soil. Elsewhere agricultural and drainage operations
have completely altered the character of the soils. In fact most
of those under cultivation are a creation of the last century and
a half.

The natural covering of forest which clothed the island almost
in its entirety when the British arrived has long since disappeared,

318 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

very largely as a result of the shifting cultivation practised by the
Chinese gambier and pepper planters in the nineteenth century.
Today, remnants of the original vegetation survive on Bukit
Timah, parts of the catchment area and in the swamp lands. Over
the rest of the island the natural vegetation has been replaced by
building, roads, plantations, cultivations, and grass and ferny
secondary growth. The built-up area occupies about 53 square
miles of the island, radiating from its southern apex where the
original settlement was founded adjacent to a suitable anchorage
and discharge point. More than three-quarters of the total popula-
tion of the island live within the municipal area of 31.5 square
miles, where the pattern of development owes much to the fore-
sight of Sir Stamford Raffles’ Town Committee in the early
eighteen-twenties and to the practical genius of G. D. Coleman in
the eighteen-thirties. The sharply defined racial and economic
groupings which originated with that still persist despite a strong
tendency towards occupational specialization. The “Big Town” of
the Chinese to the south of the Singapore River, and the “Little
Town” to the north, form the core of the city, and except for
large offices and modern business houses immediately south of the
river, comprise narrow streets bordered by shop houses. On the
western side of the city there are three miles of wharves with a
low-water draught of more than 33 feet.

Between Keppel Harbour and the Kallang River lies a stretch
of coastline some 4 miles in length, where land has been developed
with extreme intensity to a depth of about a mile. Within this area
live more than a third of the Colony’s whole population and here
also lie the City’s business centre, its government buildings, its
godowns and its principal shops. The entire civil transport system
is also focussed here, with the roads radiating fan-like, the railway
heading north for the mainland, shipping lying in the docks and
“roads’. The new international airport is sited 74 miles N.E. of the
centre of the city. Enclosing this congested area is a larger, less
intensively developed urban zone extending inland about 4 miles
from the sea and stretching east and west along the coast. Building
has taken place along the lines of radial roads and “in-filling” has
followed the construction of ring-roads connecting the radials.
Whilst a large part of this urban area is heavily populated and
closely built, it also contains pleasant residential suburbs dotted
with garden bungalows. Most of the urban zone is within the
City limits. Fishing and agriculture have been responsible for the

PHYSICAL FEATURES 319

foundation of small settlements around the coast of Singapore
Island and in the hinterland. In the rural areas of Singapore, settle-
ment is mainly scattered, taking the form of small farmsteads.
Village centres are spaced out along the main roads, but in most
cases these comprise no more than a group of shops and serve as
collection centres for local produce. At major traffic junctions
particularly along Bukit Timah Road, small towns have sprung
up, and industrial development has also been attracted. The largest
concentrations of population and development outside the City
are to be found in and around H.M. Forces installations at Alexan-
dra, Changi, Seletar, Tengah and Sembawang and the Naval Base.
Of comparatively recent origin these settlements attract a con-
siderable working population and have been indirectly responsible
for many improvements in the road system. H.M. Forces instal-
lations occupy about a tenth of all land in the Colony. They are
largely self-contained settlements, almost garden cities.

Singapore relies on its rural areas for the main supply of fresh
leafy vegetables, pigs, poultry and eggs; fruit, root crops and other
local produce are of secondary importance. The remainder of the
staple diet, including rice, dried foods and spices, must be imported
from the Federation of Malaya or further afield. During the past
30 years there has been a change in agricultural practice in Singa-
pore. Whereas previously there was an emphasis on rubber
plantation, and padi was grown in certain parts of the Island, today
the production of food crops and livestock is by far the more
important: There is now little economic rubber left on the island
although rubber estates cover 25 square miles; and padi farming
is non-existent. Today’s farming is intensive, on small-holdings
rarely exceeding five acres, some of which are in upland areas,
but the majority of which are low-lying, with a water-table suf-
ficiently near the surface to enable ponds to be formed. Such
low-lying land, often near estuaries, is preferred for agriculture.
Soils are an important consideration.

It is possible to differentiate in a general way between two types
of farmer: the small-holder and the part-time farmer. The farmer
is the most important producer of “cash crops”, providing a large
part of all the leafy vegetables and livestock sold in markets and
by hawkers in the City. The part-time farmer, who rears pigs and
poultry and grows cassava, sweet potato, pineapples, bananas,
papayas and fruit trees is also of importance; his land require-
ments are less stringent than the small-holder’s and can be met in

areas normally used for temporary housing.

320 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

During recent years, many new agricultural areas have been
established by Government. These are being linked with resettle-
ment projects from areas of temporary housing and agriculture
with the City area, which are required for permanent housing.
They provide land for both full and part-time farmers, and by the
grant of security of tenure, it is hoped to encourage the develop-
ment of these areas as permanent farmland.

In the rural areas, the majority of attap dwellers are farmers
and the resettlement schemes are being planned with a view to
supplementing the food supply of the Colony. This will be done
by encouraging some settlers to cultivate small areas of farmland
for crops for sale and others to produce food for the settlers’ own
consumption.

About 38 square miles of land on Singapore Island is used for
food production, about a quarter being under coconuts and a
similar area under fruit trees. In the low-lying areas peripheral to
the City of Singapore, intensive production of leafy vegetables is
carried out, with an average farm size of 0.6 acres and a population
of over 5,000 per square mile. The landscape is a mosaic of rectan-
gular, grooved, cambered vegetable beds bordered by access paths
with attap and wood houses, ponds and clumps of fruit trees.

The only regions on the island wholly devoid of habitat are the
catchment area of 13 square miles, and some areas of mangrove
swamp.

FAUNA

Initially the fauna of Singapore Island must have been very
similar to that of the wooded lowlands of southern Malaya, but
the development of the last hundred years has impoverished it
considerably. Some of the mangrove remains but the sandy
stretches of the coast are no longer free and undisturbed. In the
interior the original forest has been destroyed almost completely.

In general, the birds and mammals now living wild on the Island
are restricted to the hardier and less retiring of the denizens of
scrub woodland, small grassy areas and the forest edge. Less than

a hundred years ago, at the time of A. R. Wallace’s visits between

1845 and 1862, there were always a few tigers roaming about
Singapore and they killed, on an average, one man every day. The
last authentic record of a local tiger was of a beast shot in 1924.
The sambar probably disappeared at about the same time and the
little barking deer during the recent war; the banded leaf-monkey,

FAUNA 321

the pig-tailed macaque or berok and the wild pig, all of which
were certainly present until after the turn of the century, have
probably died out in the last 20-30 years. There are always a few
wild pigs in the broken country on the west of the Island, and
probably some in the water catchment area, but these are almost
certainly animals that have escaped from domestication or, in the
case of the former locality have crossed the Johore Strait. There
are still true wild pig and berok on some of the small islets South
of Singapore, and it is known that the pig swim from island to
island.

Less than 50 mammals are still known to be present on the
Island in a wild state and even these consist largely of rats (6
species), squitrels (7 species) and bats (about 24 species). The
latter include the so-called flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) a large
fruit-eating bat with a wing-span of nearly 5 feet. In addition there
is a tree shrew (Tupaia glis) and a house or musk shrew (Suncus
murinus) both of which are very common in their respective —
habitats and a monkey, the longtailed macaque or Kera (Macaca
irus) which is present wild in the Botanic Gardens in some num-
bers. This small selection covers all the mammals known to the
great majority of the people on the Island.

The bird fauna of the Island is similarly restricted. About 156
different kinds of birds are almost certainly resident here, while a
further 125 species have been recorded as strays or winter visitors.

The common birds are mostly types found in grassland, open
orchards and light woodlands on the mainland. The yellow-vented
bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier), the magpie robia (Copsychus saulari),
the white-breasted kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnesis), the black-naped
oriole (Oriolus chinensis), the longtailed tailor-bird (Orthotomus
sutorius) and the yellow-breasted sunbird (Leptocoma jugularis) are
plentiful on the Island. On the other hand, such families as the
pheasant, hornbills, trogons and whistling thrushes are completely
unrepresented. Human interference, or at least the promixity of
settlements has probably had at least as much to do with their
disappearance as the extensive deforestation. Several woodland
birds are known from the nearby island of Ubin and even from
the islets to the south though they are no longer present on Singa-
pore Island itself.

About 40 of the 125 non-resident birds occur regularly and in
some numbers either as visitors throughout the northern winter or
as passage migrants: some, mostly shore birds, are very plentiful

322 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

during the period of their stay here. In many respects the numbers
of migrants and winter visitors are disappointingly small, both in
terms of species and of individuals. It seems that the great move-
ments of birds along the shores of the Malay Peninsula travel
to the East and West of Singapore, and miss the Island itself.

Reptiles are well represented. Of the non-marine forms, 4 tor-
toises, between 15 and 20 kinds of lizard and over 40 kinds of
snake are probably still found. The commonest tortoise is the
spiny hill tortoise (Geomyda spinosa) which is often encountered
in the catchment area jungle. The most noticeable of the lizards
are the little house geckos or chichaks, which amuse newcomers to
the tropics by their ability to walk upside down on the ceiling.
So far from retreating before civilisation these lizards flourish and
multiply in houses, whose electric lights attract insects and furnish
them with a copious supply of food. In gardens and along road-
sides, the flying lizard (draco volans) is quite often seen gliding on
outstretched membranes from one tree to another and the crested
tree-lizard (Calotes cristatellus) often miscalled “chameleon” is not
uncommon. Malaya’s largest lizard, the common monitor (Varanus
salvator) is still found in the less densely populated districts and
occasionally raids chicken-runs in the rural areas.

Of the surprisingly large total of snakes, 6 are venomous but only
2 of these dangerously so. These are the 2 cobras, Naja naja the
black cobra and Naja hannah the hamadryad or king cobra. The
latter is the largest poisonous snake in the world and in July 1950,
a specimen of 15 feet 7 inches was captured in the catchment area
near the Royal Island Golf Club. The black cobra is by no means
rare, but extremely few cases of its bite are reported and it can be
said with confidence that in Singapore (and indeed throughout
Malaya) the hazard of snake-bite need not be taken very seriously.
Of the harmless snakes, the house snake (Lycodon aulicus) is the
most frequently encountered and the beautiful black, green-spotted
paradise tree-snake (Chrysepelea paradisi) is also very common.
Pythons (Python reticulatus) are quite often captured but are
usually not of any great size.

Frogs and toads are present in some variety. The common
Asiatic toad (Bufo melanostictus) is abundant and furnishes
students of biology at the University with an introduction to the
technique of dissection. The authors of the bellowing chorus that
arises from swampy places in rainy weather are the so-called bull-
frogs (Caloula pulchra). This specie is said not to be native to

FLORA AND HORTICULTURE 323

Singapore, but to have been introduced shortly before the beginning
of the present century.

A considerable fauna of fresh water fish inhabits the Island’s
ponds and streams and especially the catchment area reservoirs.
Many of them, by reason of their beauty and diminutive size, are
favourites of aquarium keepers. Others are of interest from their
peculiar habits; among those the celebrated climbing perch (Anabas
testudineus) is worthy of mention. This fish possesses an accessory
air-breathing organ which enables it to live for quite long periods
out of the water provided it can keep its body and gill-chambers
moist. In rainy weather, climbing perches will deliberately leave
the water and make their way across country in search of new
dwelling places; in this way newly made ponds soon become
colonised by them. One small fish, Rasborichthys altior, is quite
common in the waters of the catchment area but has never been
taken in any locality outside Singapore Island.

Of the terrestrial invertebrate animals little can be said beyond
the fact that they are extremely numerous and varied. This is
particularly true of the insects and the catchment area jungle
affords a rich hunting ground for the casual butterfly collector and
the serious entomologist alike. A few of the invertebrates are
noxious. The sting of the large scorpion (Heterometrus) and the
poisonous bite of the big centipede (Scolopendra) are painful and
severe but not to be regarded as dangerous. The giant snail
(Achatona fulica) is a native of Africa but must now be accepted
as a conspicuous, albeit unwelcome member of the Malayan fauna.
Introduced probably via Mauritius and Ceylon it first made its
appearance in Malaya about 1911. It is now a widely spread pest
of gardeners and vegetable growers throughout South-East Asia
and has even reached some of the islands of the tropical Pacific.

In conclusion mention must be made of the rich fauna found
around the Island’s coasts. Fish, molluscs, crustaceans and many
other animals occur in great variety particularly as a number of
distinct littoral environments are represented. These include gently
shelving sandy and muddy shores and extensive mangrove swamps.

FLORA AND HORTICULTURE

When Raffles landed in Singapore the island was covered with
forest. Much of this has now been destroyed and plants, which
were collected here sixty years ago, have disappeared from the
flora. They include a few endemic species which were peculiar to

324 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

the island and a greater number which do occur elsewhere. Some
fifty species of orchids which used to grow in the mangrove swamps
can no longer be found. A few remaining remnants of the original
vegetation are now conserved as Nature Reserves, which are
administered by a statutory Board of Management, established in
1951, of which the Director of the Botanic Gardens is the ex-officio
Chairman. Only a comparatively small area of the 8,000 acres of
Nature Reserves, which are set aside for the propagation, protec-
tion and preservation of the indigenous fauna and flora, consist
of primary vegetation; much of it is secondary, but it is hoped
that, with the prohibition of settlement and tree felling, regenera-
tion will advance.

The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, covering 163 acres on the
highest hill on the island, is one of the most important areas of
preserved vegetation in the world. It has been a botanical collecting
ground for more than a century and the first-known specimens of
many Malayan plants were collected there. It is the only place in
Singapore where many indigenous species still survive. It consists
of primary tropical rain forest with many trees 50-70 metres high
and for the greater part it has not been cut over or damaged. It
is only seven miles from the centre of the town, while the next
nearest area of virgin forest is on Gunong Pulai about 45 miles
away in Johore. In the water catchment area, adjoining Bukit
Timah there is fresh-water swamp forest and peat swamp forest.
On the south-west and north coasts of the island are the Pandan
and Kranji Nature Reserve which contain areas of protected man-
grove. During the year, 1,003 acres of the Pandan Reserve, 1.
three-quarters of it, were deleted for the creation of prawn ponds.

The natural vegetation is typical of a humid tropical climate in
which seasonal changes are slight. Trees provide the dominant
feature and green the dominant colour. Except in the mangroves,
where because of the peculiar environment there are comparatively
few kinds of plants, the lowland forest is one of bewildering com-
plexity and is richer in plant species than other types of vegetation
found elsewhere in the world. The forest is evergreen and is com-
posed almost entirely of broad-leafed trees. It is never bare of
leaves and those trees which are deciduous shed their leaves
and acquire a new set rapidly, never standing leafless for more
than a few days. Because seasonal changes are so slight there
is no burst of flowering as occurs in climates with a cold or dry
season. In fact very few flowers are seen at any time. The forest

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FLORA AND HORTICULTURE 325

floor is relatively bare except for fallen leaves and the ground flora
of tree seedlings, ferns and a few herbs grows sparsely. Epiphytic
plants are abundant, mostly orchids and ferns, which grow mainly
on the upper branches of trees in order to reach the light. They
are not parasitic, but have no connection with the ground. Grasses
and sedges are plants of the open and only come in after the forest
has been cleared.

Outside the urban areas and Nature Reserves, wherever the soil
is suitable, rubber, coconuts, fruit trees and vegetables are cultiv-
ated. On the poorer eroded and exhausted soils, secondary scrub
(belukar) is found, but even here plants of interest, such as the
pitcher plants occur. There are also areas of lJalang grassland.
With the opening up of large areas and the destruction of the
natural vegetation which has gone on for many years, alien plants,
including many weeds of American and African origin, have be-
come established and are now a familiar feature of the vegetation.
The number of species of indigenous plants on Singapore Island
is about 2,000, which is greater than the number of native species
in the entire British flora.

The Botanic Gardens, situated in the Tanglin area, are a popular
public park and are also a centre of research for Malaysian botany
and tropical horticulture. The present Gardens of 85 acres were
founded on their present site in 1859, although there were earlier
Gardens founded by Raffles on Fort Canning in 1822. Apart from
purely decorative plants, the Botanic Gardens maintain collections
of native and exotic plants of interest to the student and the
botanist. It is manifestly impossible to show in a limited area
anything more than a small sample of the Malaysian flora, which
contains between 20,000 and 30,000 species, as well as related
plants from other countries. Nevertheless, the number of trees,
shrubs, climbers and other perennial plants growing in the Gardens
and in the 11 acres of original forest preserved in the Gardens’
Jungle is in the order of 30,000 species and this does not include
horticultural varieties and annuals. In addition to the more general
collections, the Gardens has specialised in individual collections of
certain families of plants, notably palms, bamboos, orchids, gingers
and ferns. These are added to by collections within Malaysia and
by exchange with institutions elsewhere.

It was in the economic section of the Botanic Gardens, now the
site of the University of Malaya, that the pioneer work on Para
rubber by Mr. H. N. Ridley and on other economic plants was

Indoor flowers—Straits Times

326 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

catried out. This led to the foundation of Malaya’s rubber industry.
For many years these Gardens were the sole source of planting
material of many crops in Malaya, and seeds and plants were dis-
tributed from them to all parts of the tropics.

The study of the Malaysian flora is undertaken by the staff of
the Botanic Gardens. A large herbarium of plants from Malaya
and adjacent territories has been built up over many years and
contains some 400,000 specimens. The collection is added to con-
stantly by the staff themselves and by material acquired by
exchange from other botanical institutions. So much new material
and new knowledge has accumulated since the publication of
Ridley’s Flora of the Malay Peninsula in 1922-25, that it is now
out of date and a Revised Flora of Malaya is being prepared. The
first volume of the new Flora, namely Orchids of Malaya by
R. E. Holttum, was published in 1953. In Ridley’s Flora, the
orchids were described in less than 230 pages; the new volume
has 750 pages and describes about 800 species of indigenous
Malayan orchids, as well as many cultivated species and hybrids.
The second volume on the Ferns of Malaya by the same author
‘was published in 1955 and this work is the result of some 30 years’
research on this interesting group by Dr. Holttum, together with
new ideas on their classification. In its 643 pages some 650 species
of Malayan ferns are described. Both volumes are designed to be
of use to the field naturalist and the gardener, as well as to the
specialist. Two other works published by past members of the
Gardens’ staff which can be thoroughly recommended to the
amateur interested in the plants of the country are Corner’s Way-
side Trees of Malaya (2nd Edition, 1952) and Henderson’s Malayan
Wild Flowers (1951-54). Plants do not recognise political bound-
aries and research on the plants of Malaya involves the study of
telated plants from the Malaysian region as a whole. The Flora
Malesiana edited by Dr. Van Steenis of Leiden and financed by the
Indonesian Government, which is being published contempo-
raneously with our local. Flora is therefore of considerable import-
ance. Two volumes have been published to a date, and three parts
of a third. The staff of the Singapore Botanic Gardens is collaborat-
ing and will write accounts of certain families for this book.

Technical papers dealing with the flora and related subjects are
published in the Gardens’ Bulletin, Singapore. Publication of re-
visions Of groups of plants is a necessary preliminary to the
publication of the Revised Flora, but such revisions are cast in a

FLORA AND HORTICULTURE 327

more detailed and more technical form than that suitable for a
Flora, which must be designed to be intelligible to the laymen as
well as to the professional. Critical study of the great amount of
material collected in the past 40 years or so by the Gardens and
the Forest Departments of the Federation of Malaya and Borneo,
which is necessary for these revisions, has revealed large numbers
of undescribed species, as well as species of neighbouring regions
which have not yet been recorded from Malaya. So rich is the
Malayan flora that even now undescribed species are still being
found in the small patches of forest on Bukit Timah and in the
Botanic Gardens.

The cultivation and propagation of native and introduced plants
of horticultural merit or economic interest is studied at the Botanic
Gardens and every year many plants are introduced for trial.
Gardening in Singapore is not easy. The soils are poor and the
seasonless climate makes it difficult to find plants which will flower
regularly and provide colour in gardens. Methods of growing plants
in beds and pots must be devised which will suit local conditions
and these are very different from those in temperate countries or
regions which enjoy a cold or dry season in the year. Nearly all
the garden plants grown in Singapore have originated in countries.
other than Malaya, which has little to offer in this respect. It is,
therefore, an essential function of the Botanic Gardens to introduce
and display as many garden plants as possible, so that people can
see what is available and what will suit their own gardens. One
of the best methods of providing sufficient colour in the gardens is.
to use flowering shrubs, more especially those which will flower
continuously or at short intervals. One such successful introduction
has been the New Guinea Creeper (Mucuna bennettii), which pro-
duces striking trusses of flame-coloured flowers several times a
year.

The breeding of new varieties of plants suitable for local cultiva-
tion offers great scope and has been actively pursued at the Botanic
Gardens for many years. The programme of breeding orchid
hybrids, begun in 1929, has produced very successful and specta-
cular results. The aim of this work is two-fold, namely, to
produce new hybrids of horticultural merit and commercial worth
and to investigate the relationship between the various groups of
orchids. One cross made by a local enthusiast and raised at the.
Botanic Gardens produced Vanda Tan Chay Yan, which was
awarded a First Class Certificate of the Royal Horticultural Society

328 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

in 1954 and is considered to be one of the best Vanda hybrids
bred anywhere in the world. Some 2,800 orchid crosses have now
been made at the Gardens and every year new hybrids are coming
into bloom. New crosses are continually being made, both in the
Gardens and by local growers, a few of whom have mastered the
technique of raising seedlings in flasks under sterile conditions.
The principal genera used for crossing are Arachnis, Dendrobium,
Renanthern, Spathoglottis and Vanda. A difficulty has been found
in breeding new hybrids using Aranda (Vanda X Archnis), but a
few crosses are now being raised. Our first trigeneric hybrid,
Ridleyara fascad, flowered in 1956. Malayan Orchid Hybrids by
Henderson and Addison was published in 1956 and contains an
account and photographs of the principal orchid hybrids, except
for very recent ones, which are now grown in Singapore.

The cultivation of hybrid orchids is now very popular in Singa-
pore and each year plants of higher quality are displayed at the
annual flower shows, both by amateur and professional growers,
who have every reason to be proud of the high standard they have
attained.

Experiments in improving the culture medium and accelerating
the growth of orchid seedlings in the first stage in the flasks was
continued, as was the work on the manuring of the young seedlings
and the cultivation and propagation of the mature plants. The
entire orchid collection at the Gardens was moved in 1955 from
the Director’s garden to a special orchid enclosure on Lawns P
and R, which has a wire-mesh security fence and double barbed-
wire apron. The latter is electrified to keep out the monkeys. The
new site is proving better than the old one and there is now room
for expansion. The orchids are also given better protection against
theft.

The cultivation of cacti and other succulents is becoming increas-
ingly popular in Singapore. Some of the larger species grow and
flower in the open in well-drained beds, while the smaller species
are grown in pots as house decorations. The latter must be
sheltered from the rain and given special treatment. Over 400
species of succulents have now been collected and are grown at the
Botanic Gardens.

Singapore has a flourishing Gardening Society. The Malayan
Orchid Society with its headquarters and most of its members in
Singapore was resuscitated during 1957. Both societies hold
periodical meetings at the Botanic Gardens or in members’ gardens

FLORA AND HORTICULTURE 329

at which demonstrations of practical methods are given. The
Gardening Society held again in 1957, as it has done regularly in
the past, an annual flower show in April and the Malayan Orchid
Society staged its first show since the war on 6th September, 1957.
At both shows the standard of plants, flowers and technique was
high. The Malayan Orchid Society publishes the Malayan Orchid
Review Quarterly to which the Gardens’ staff contribute articles.
The Malayan Agri-Horticultural Society publishes a quarterly
journal to which members of the Gardens’ staff also contribute.

In the natural history field, the Malayan Nature Society has an
active branch in Singapore which organises monthly outings.

Sunday band concerts in the Botanic Gardens were continued
during the year. They have proved very popular and are attended
by large crowds.

Outdoor flowers—Strajts Times

XXII

History of Singapore

ITTLE IS known of the early history of Singapore. It is

thought, however, that a prosperous commercial centre, known

as Singapura, flourished here in the thirteenth and fourteenth

centuries. Its downfall is said to have been brought about in 1377
when the Javanese invaded and destroyed it.

Singapore was forgotten for about 440 years and, when in the
year 1819 Sir Stamford Raffles of the British East India Company
realised its potentialities, it was covered with thick jungle and
mangrove swamp, with a few inhabitants living near the river
mouth.

Raffles, as Lieutenant-Governor of the moribund settlement of
Bencoolen in Sumatra, was commissioned, at his own suggestion,
by the Governor-General of India to establish a trading centre in
Riau or Johore. With his sound knowledge of local territory and
conditions, he decided that Singapore would be a far better place
for a settlement and entrepdt.

On the Company’s behalf he made an agreement with the
Temenggong of Johore, subordinate of the Sultan of Johore-
Lingga, Tengku Hussein, for the foundings of a British settlement
here and for the exclusion from the territory of all other powers.
The date of this agreement was 6th February, 1819.

From the outset Raffles insisted that Singapore should be a free
port if it were to be assured of prosperity. In this he met with con-
siderable bitterness and opposition. The Dutch protested forcibly
against the interloper. The Governor of Penang, Colonel Banner-
man, foresaw the blackest disaster. The British East India Com-
pany directors were apprehensive and stated their objections to the
Governor-General of India, Lord Hastings. No decision was taken
on these for some time and meanwhile Singapore became an
attractive centre both for immigrants and for trade. The population
which had amounted to about 150 when Raffles landed, had risen

HISTORY OF SINGAPORE 331

to over 10,000 by 1824, and trade, hitherto non-existent, had by
1820 far exceeded that of Malacca. In 1822 its value was about
$84 millions and in the next year this had increased by about $5
millions.

By the Treaty of London, 17th March, 1824, the Dutch withdrew
their objections to the occupation of Singapore and ceded Malacca,
while Britain gave up Bencoolen. At the same time British sove-
reignty in Singapore was placed on a sound juridical basis by a
treaty with the Sultan and Temenggong on 2nd August, 1824,
- which ceded to the East India Company the Island of Singapore
in full sovereignty and perpetuity.

Meanwhile, in 1822-3, Raffles had paid his last visit to Singa-
pore and, working with his usual titanic energy, had endowed it
with a magistracy, a code of laws and a police force, trading regul-
ations and a town-planning scheme, and, as he hoped, an
institution which would make Singapore the intellectual as well
as the commercial entrepdét of South-East Asia. In 1824 he returned
to England where he died in 1826, not yet 45.

In the succeeding years the phenomenal progress of the Settle-
ment showed no sign of diminution. The trade figures were
£2,610,440 in 1825, £13,252,175 in 1864. The population which at
the first census in 1824 numbered 10,683, had risen by 1860 to
81,734 of all nationalities, but with a significant majority (over
50,000) of Chinese. Singapore had completely overshadowed its
sister settlements of Malacca and Penang, with which it had been
incorporated in 1826 as the Straits Settlements, and it was natural
that the seat of government be transferred from Penang to
Singapore in 1832. Singapore was doing well but, thought its
inhabitants, could do better: and the drag on its further progress
was the fact that it was an outlying possession of a distant govern-
ment in India, which did not consult local interest.

The Straits Settlements had been put under the Presidency of
Bengal in 1830 but transferred to the direct control of the
Governor-General in 1851. It was all one to the leading inhabitants
of Singapore: they disliked government from India and in the fifties
their discontent became vociferous. They complained in general
that the Supreme Government sacrificed the interests of the Straits
Settlements to those of India: in particular that it interfered with
the currency to the detriment of trade, that it sought continuously
to infringe the sacred principle of the ‘free port’ by revenue-
producing devices, and above all that by its policy of strict non-
intervention with the Malay States of the hinterland, it held back

332 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

the Singapore merchants from developing a large territory of great
potential wealth but now so sunk in irremediable anarchy as to
render regular trade impossibly hazardous.

The Government of India for its part was quite willing to let
its wayward dependencies depart in peace. Prosperous the Settle-
ments might be, but so low was the taxation that they were actually
a burden on the Indian Government. Moreover since the abolition
of the Company’s monopoly of the China trade in 1834 India was
no longer interested in the Straits: it was difficult to find suitable
officials for the territory and it was felt at the time that in the
event of war with a European naval power it would be difficult
to protect Singapore against attack. So reasoned the Viceroy,
Lord Canning in 1859, and the transfer was agreed in prin-
ciple. To settle the details was another matter. In addition to
the parties to the transfer, the War Office and the Treasury were
involved, and it was not until 10th August, 1866, that an act
was passed to transfer the control of the Straits Settlements from
the Indian Government to the Colonial Office. On Ist April, 1867,
the transfer was formally effected and the Straits Settlements be-
came a Crown Colony.

The eventual result was the dropping of the policy of non-
intervention and the inauguration of a policy of protection and
guidance in the native states of the peninsula which in a few
decades converted an unhealthy, sparsely-populated and anarchic
country into the most properous and best developed of all Britain’s
tropical dependencies. In this development Singapore played a
primary part and in the resultant prosperity the town had its share.
It was in Singapore that European processes of tin smelting were
introduced in 1887 with the result that in 1939 Singapore smelted
more tin than England and Holland combined. It was in Singapore
and in Perak that Hevea Brasiliensis was successfully cultivated in
1877; it was the Director of Singapore’s Botanic Gardens, H. N.
Ridley, who in 1891, first exhibited cultivated rubber to the public,
and though Singapore grew comparatively little rubber itself, it
became the chief rubber export centre of the world and in 1918
out of a total trade of $512,229,753 the value of rubber exported
was $153,455,920. Population followed prosperity in a continuous
upward curve; a century after Raffles’ landing the population within
the municipal limits was estimated at 305,000; in 1931 it was
559,945 of whom 74.9 per cent were Chinese. In mid-1955 the total
population of Singapore was estimated at 1,212,588 of whom 76
per cent were Chinese.

Digitized by Google

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HISTORY OF SINGAPORE 333

With justice could the Singapore Chamber of Commerce refer in
1919 to ‘the wondrous growth of the trade of the Port’. In that
respect Raffles’ expectations had been fulfilled completely. But in
two major respects his aspirations remained ungratified.

His strategic eye had not failed to perceive the key position
of Singapore or the vital line of trade and communications which
runs between China and the West. Singapore, he wrote, will become
the Malta of the East. But prior to the 1914-18 war little resem-
blance was apparent. In 1873 indeed Singapore was described as
‘defenceless’ and though the adjacent islands of Blakang Mati and
Pulau Brani were subsequently fortified, the garrison of Singapore
in 1914 consisted of no more than the equivalent of two battalions,
while from the naval point of view it was no more than a port of
call and coaling station.

The emergence of Japan as the third naval power in the world
fundamentally altered the strategic situation. Japan had hitherto
been an ally but the Anglo-Japanese Alliance was not renewed in
1921. The protection of the Indian Ocean and of the antipodes
necessitated the presence of a battle-fleet in eastern waters: a
battle-fleet required a naval base with adequate docking faci-
lities and none existed from Malta to Pearl Harbour. So in
1921 the Imperial Conference decided that Singapore should be-
come, as Raffles had foreseen, the Malta of the East. By 1938 a
first class naval base had been constructed with graving and floating
docks to accommodate the largest capital ships. An air base was
established, the garrison multiplied and the peaceful commercial
city was transformed into a fortress. But Singapore differs from
Malta in one essential particular, in that it has an extensive hinter-
land from which it is separated only by a narrow strait. Lacking
naval and air support the fortress succumbed to a Japanese land
attack in February 1942. For 34 years Singapore, under the alias
of Syonan, remained perforce under Japanese rule. On 5th Septem-
ber, 1945, the forces of South-East Asia Command under Lord
Louis (now Earl) Mountbatten, fresh from their great victories
over the Japanese in Burma, bloodlessly recovered Singapore,
largely intact but shabby and despoiled, and with its people
starving.

For almost seven months Singapore remained under the British
Military Administration, but civil government was resumed on
Ist April, 1946, with Singapore no longer part of the Straits Settle-
ments but constituted as a separate Colony, together with
Christmas Island and the Cocos Islands. Penang and Malacca be-
came part of the new Malayan Union (now the Federation of

Early Singapore—Straits Times

334 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Malaya), and Labuan became part of North Borneo. It had, how-
ever, been clearly stated in a White Paper submitted to Parliament
in January 1946 containing the proposals for these constitutional
Changes that it was ‘no part of the policy of His Majesty’s Govern-
ment to preclude or prejudice in any way the fusion of Singapore
and the Malayan Union in a wider union at a later date should it
be considered that such a course were desirable’.

Singapore’s development in democratic government has con-
tinued steadily. In March 1948 the first elections for the Legislative
Council took place when six members were elected by popular
vote and a further three elected bv the three Chambers of
Commerce. The Council had a majority of unofficial members, in-
cluding four nominated by the Governor, and was admitted to
membership of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in
1949. By the time of the elections in March 1951, the number of
popularly elected members had been increased from six to nine,
and the Council elected one of its unofficial members to be its vice-
president. The Constitution was further amended to permit the
unofficial members of the Legislative Council to elect two of their
number on the Executive Council. At the end of 1953 a Com-
mission was appointed by the Governor under the chairmanship of
Sir George Rendel, K.c.M.G., to undertake a comprehensive review
of the constitution of the Colony, including the relationship between
the Colony Government and the local government authority. The
Commission reported in February 1954, and recommended the
establishment of a Legislative Assembly consisting of a Speaker
and 32 Members, of whom 25 should be popularly elected, and a
Council of Ministers consisting of three ex officio Ministers (the
Chief Secretary, the Attorney-General and the Financial Secretary)
and six Ministers drawn from the Legislative Assembly. The
Secretary of State for the Colonies agreed generally with the recom-
mendations and the result was that a new Order in Council was
passed providing for a new constitution for Singapore.

The first general elections for a mainly elected Legislature were
held in April 1955. Four political parties and a number of in-
dependent candidates contested the seats in the 24 constituencies.
Since no party had an overwhelming majority the Labour Front
which had the majority of votes as a party went into coalition
with the United Malay National Organisation/Malayan Chinese
Association/ Singapore Malay Union Alliance to form the Govern-
ment.

HISTORY OF SINGAPORE 335

After coming into office the Chief Minister, Mr. David Marshall,
continued to make representations for a greater measure of self-
government and in April-May 1956 he led a Singapore delegation,
comprising representatives from all political parties, to the United
Kingdom for constitutional talks with the Secretary of State for
the Colonies. It was not possible to reach agreement at the Con-
ference and soon after his return, Mr. Marshall resigned as Chief
Minister and he was succeeded by Mr. Lim Yew Hock who after
a few months in office went to London in December 1956, for
informal talks with the Secretary of State with a view to reopening
discussion of a new Constitution for Singapore.

Further constitutional talks were held in London from 11th
March to 11th April, 1957, when an agreement providing for the
constitution of a State of Singapore with full imternal self-govern-
ment was signed.

Keeping pace with the development in central government has
been the progress in local government. The first Municipal Elec-
tions were held in March 1949, when 18 out of a total 27 Municipal
Commissioners were elected by popular vote. In September 1951,
the title of a City was conferred by Royal Charter and the
Municipal Commission became the City Council. In the rural
areas the village committees which came into being in 1946 and
1947 became rural district committees and provided a useful link
between the inhabitants and the Rural Board. In 1954 the Con-
stitutional Commission mentioned above recommended the fusion
of the City Council and the Rural Board into a single City and
Island Council with local government responsibilities throughout
the main Island of Singapore—the new Council to consist of 24
popularly elected Councillors, 8 Aldermen, elected by the Coun-
cillors and a Mayor elected annually by the Aldermen and Coun-
cillors together. However, the new Government was not in favour
of the proposed plan for local government and appointed a Com-
mission to report on the feasibility of establishing a City Council
with less responsibilities than at present and of several Rural
Councils to look after the interests of the rural areas.

The Commission submitted its findings in January 1956, and
shortly afterwards Government issued a White Paper giving its
proposals for the reorganisation of the local government authorities.

Under the Local Government Ordinance of 1957, local govern-
ment in the City Area is carried out by a City Council of 32
elected Councillors, electing a Mayor from among their own

336 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

members. The first elections were held in December 1957, return-
ing the People’s Action Party as the largest party with 13 out of
32 seats. Mr. Ong Eng Guan, Treasurer of the P.A.P., was elected
as the first Mayor of Singapore. Local government in the rural
areas will be carried out by three District Councils, each consisting
of 12 elected members, three nominated members and an official
Chairman. These District Councils will supersede the Rural Board.
Five years’ residential qualification without citizenship qualifica-
tion admits to the electoral register for local government elections.

This constitutional progress has taken place despite what is
known as the Emergency. Early in 1948, the leaders of the Malayan
Communist Party decided to switch the main emphasis of their
policy from penetrations of workers’ movements to a campaign
of violence, and in April of that year the campaign opened both
in Singapore and the Federation of Malaya, with the result that
special emergency powers were taken by the Governments of both
territories. Many leaders of the Party in Singapore whose main
occupation had been the fomenting of industrial disputes in Singa-
pore went to the Federation to join their comrades in the jungle
in the campaign of armed terrorism which still continues. The
manifestation of this campaign though not as serious or as spectac-
ular in Singapore as in the Federation included cases of murder
and arson, and it has needed constant vigilance and the use of the
emergency powers to keep the threat in check, and to disorganise
the control centres of the local Communist organisation as they
regrouped from time to time.

HISTORICAL NOTE ON CHRISTMAS ISLAND

Christmas Island was discovered and named by Captain William
Mynors of the Royal Mary who sighted it on Christmas Day, 1643,
while on a voyage from Java to the Cape. The earliest recorded
landing is that of a party sent ashore by William Dampier in 1688,
but the island remained little known, and was seldom visited, until
the latter part of the nineteenth century. The first official attempts
at exploration were made by men landed from H.M. ships in 1857
and 1887.

The reports arising from these visits were unpromising but some
of the geological specimens brought back were found to be almost
pure samples of phosphate of lime and the British Government was
moved to annex the island in June 1888 placing it under the juris-
diction of the Government of the Straits Settlements. Attempts to
work the phosphate deposits were made by various individuals

HISTORY OF SINGAPORE 337

including members of the Clunies-Ross family, who had established
themselves on the Cocos Islands, and by 1897 the Christmas Island
Phosphate Company had been formed.

Extensive work on the opening up of quarries on the north side,
near Flying Fish Cove, began early in 1897. The following year
200 Chinese labourers, the fore-runners of a larger labour force,
were brought to the island and in 1900 the first consignment of
phosphates was put on board ship by means of lighters, and the
island’s exports began. In the course of time the deposits on the
north of the island became exhausted and a railway was built
11 miles across the central plateau to the extensive beds around
South Point. Since 1920 only these beds have been used and the
phosphate has been carried across the island to the drying and
grading factory at Flying Fish Cove where it is loaded aboard
ship by conveyor belt. Production continued steadily except during
the Japanese occupation of 1942 to 1945. On Ist January, 1949, the
Christmas Island Phosphate Company’s undertaking was pur-
chased by the Governments of Australia and New Zealand on
whose behalf the Christmas Island Phosphate Commission was
established. In recent years production has been about 350,000 tons
annually.

Bibliography

NTIL SINGAPORE began to be administered as a separate

territory in 1946 there were few books dealing only with Singa-
pore. No satisfactory detailed bibliography of Singapore has yet
been published and the following is intended only as a guide to
the more important books and articles which are in print or are
available in libraries.

The laws of the Colony are published in the weekly Government
Gazette Supplement as they are made, and again in the annual
Supplement to the Laws of the Colony of Singapore. Papers pre-
sented to the Legislative Assembly, the Proceedings of the Legis-
lative Assembly and many other official documents are published
separately. Nearly all departments of the Government and of the
City Council, and also the Rural Board, the Singapore Improve-
ment Trust, the Singapore Harbour Board and the Singapore
Telephone Board publish annual reports. Government publications
may be obtained from the Government Publications Bureau,
Fullerton Building, Singapore 1.

GENERAL AND HISTORICAL

ANDERSON, P. Snake wine: a Singapore episode. Chatto and Windus, 1955.
Illustrated.
An ebullating account of the experiences of a university teacher.

BARTLETT, VERNON. Report from Malaya. Verschoyle, 1954. Illustrated.
An account of the emergency in Malaya.

BEAMISH, T. The Arts of Malaya. Singapore, Donald Moore, 1954.
BRADDELL, R. One hundred years of Singapore.
BRADDELL, R. The Lights of Singapore, 6th ed. Methuen, 1947.

BrITTON, N. P. East of the sun. Blackwood, 1956.
By the wife of an R.A.F. officer, describing her stay in post-war Singapore.

COMBER, LEON. Chinese ancestor worship in Malaya. Singapore, Donald
Moore, 1954.

CoMBER, LEON. Chinese magic and superstitions in Malaya. Singapore,
Donald Moore, 1955.

COMBER, LEON. An Introduction to Chinese secret societies in Malaya.
Singapore, Donald Moore, 1957.

COUPLAND, R. Raffles of Singapore. Collins, 1946. Illustrated.
DARTFORD, G. P. A Short history of Malaya. Longmans, 1956.
Davies, DONALD. Old Singapore. Singapore, Donald Moore, 1954.

BIBLIOGRAPHY 339

Davies, DONALD. More old Singapore. Singapore, Donald Moore, 1956.

Dossy, E. H. G. Malaya and South-East Asia. New ed. University of
London Press, 1949.
A geography text-book.
Dossy, E. H. G. South-East Asia. University of London Press, 1950.

Doccetr, Marsoriz. Characters of light: a guide to the buildings of
Singapore. Singapore, Donald Moore, 1957.
Photographs and descriptions of historic buildlings.
EvutoTt, A. J. A. Chinese spirit-medium cults in Singapore. London School
of Economics and Political Science, Department of Anthropology, 1955.
Illustrated, table.

Epron, Nina. The Golden Sword, being the dramatized story of Sir Thomas
Stamford Raffles. Oldbourne, 1957.

Grpson-Hitt, C. A. The Early history of Christmas Island in the Indian
Ocean. In Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society.
Vol. 22, 1949. Bibliography.

HALt, D. G. E. A History of South-East Asia. Macmillan, 1955, Illustrated,
maps, bibliography.

Hancock, T. H. H., and Gisson-HILt, C. A. Architecture in Singapore. In
Journal of the Institute of Architects of Malaya, Vol. 4, 1954.
Illustrated.

Notes on Singapore's principal historic and recent buildings by T. H. H. Hancock,
illustrated with photographs by C. A. Gibson-Hill.

Hawkins, G., and GiBSON-HILL, C. A. Malaya. Singapore Government

Printer, 1952. Illustrated.
A short descriptive survey of Singapore and the Federation of Malaya illustrated
with photographs by C. A. Gibson-Hill.

McDouaaLt, C. Buddhism in Malaya. Singapore, Donald Moore, 1956.

MAKEPEACE, W., and others, eds. One hundred years of Singapore. 2 v.
Murray, 1921.

Marcus, A. DRUMMOND. History of the Presbyterian Church in Malaya.
Presbyterian Historical Society of England, 1955.

ee Tpor. South-East Asia between two worlds. Turnstile Press, 1955.
aps.

Moore, DONALD. We live in Singapore. Hodder & Stoughton, 1955.
Illustrated.

Moore, DONALD. ed. Where monsoons meet: the story of Malaya in the
form of an anthology. Harrap, 1956.

MoorHEAD, F. J. A History of Malaya and her neighbours. Vol. 1.
Longmans, 1957.

Morris, MARGERY. A History of Malaya for schools. University of London
Press, 1955.

ONRAET, RENE. Singapore—a police background. 1946.
By a former Inspector-General of Police, including chapters on secret societies,
Japanese espionage in pre-war years and the early activities of the Chinese com-
munists.
PARKINSON, C. NORTHCOTE. Britain in the Far East: the Singapore Naval
Base. Singapore, Donald Moore, 1955.

PARKINSON, C. NORTHCOTE. A short history of Malaya. Singapore, Donald
Moore, 1954.

340 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

PEARSON, H. F. A History of Singapore. University of London Press, 1956.

PEARSON, H. F. People of early Singapore. University of London Press,
1955. Illustrated.

PEARSON, H. F. Stories of early Singapore. University of London Press,
1953.

PEARSON, H. F. This other India: a biography of Sir Thomas Stamford
Raffies. Singapore, Eastern Universities Press, 1957.

PERCIVAL, A. E. The War in Malaya. Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1949.
The Malayan Campaign as seen by the G. O. C. Malaya, in retrospect.

PuRCELL, V. The Chinese in Malaya. Oxford University Press, 1948.
Purce.Lt, V. Malaya: outline of a Colony. Thomas Nelson & Sons, 1946.

PuRCELL, V. The Chinese in modern Malaya. Singapore, Donald Moore,
1956.

PuRCELL, V. Malaya: Communist or Free? Gollancz, 1954.

ROBEQUAIN, CHARLES. Malaya, Indonesia, Borneo and the Philippines.
Longmans, Green & Co., 1954. Illustrated, maps, diagrams,
bibliography.

A geographical, economic and political description translated from the French.

ROBINSON, PETER, and HAN Suyin. See Singapore. Donald Moore, 1954.
Photographs by Peter Robinson with an explanatory text by Han Suyin.

SHEPPARD, M. C. ff. Historic Malaya: an outline history. Kuala Lumpur,
Malayan Historical Society, 1956.

SHEPPARD, M. C. ff. A Short history of Malaya. Kuala Lumpur, Govern-
ment Printer, 1953.

Simons, J. E. While history passed. Heinemann, 1954. Illustrated.

Life in a Japanese internment camp in World War II by a former member of the
Australian Army Nursing Service.
SINGAPORE. Department of Information Services. Travellers’ guide to
Singapore. Singapore, Department of Information Services, 1957.

Singapore Street Directory and Guide: 3rd ed., Singapore Survey Depart-
ment, 1956.

Includes historical notes on Singapore’s buildings and places of interest.

Sonc, Sir ONG SIANG. One hundred years’ history of the Chinese in
Singapore. Murray, 1932. Illustrated.

A chronological record of the contribution of the Chinese community to the
development of Singapore from 1819 to 1919.

Straits Times Annual, 1957. Singapore, Straits Times Press, 1957.

SWETTENHAM, Sir FRANK. British Malaya. Allen & Unwin, 1948.
An account of the origin and progress of British influence in Malaya.

WINSTEDT, Sir RICHARD. The Malays—a cultural history. Singapore, Kelly
& Walsh, 1947: Routeledge & Kegan Paul, 1950. Illustrated.

A good account of the origins, history, beliefs, traditions and customs of the
Peninsular Malays.

WINSTEDT, Sir RICHARD. Malaya and its history. Hutchinson, 1953.

WINSTEDT, Sir RICHARD. Malaya: the Straits Settlements, the Federated

‘and Unfederated Malay States. Constable, 1923.
Short description of Singapore and Malaya, with chapters on their physical fea-
tures, peoples, history, fauna, flora, administration and economic products.

WurtzBurc, C. E. Raffles of the Eastern Isles. Hodder & Stoughton, 1954.

BIBLIOGRAPHY 341

POPULATION

Det Turo, M. V. A Report on the 1947 census of population. Crown
Agents for the Colonies, 1949. Maps, diagrams.

Hooper, B. W. Racial groupings in Singapore. Singapore, Malayan Journal
of Tropical Geography, Vol. 1, 1953. Maps.

SmitH, T. B. Population growth in Malaya. Chatham House, 1951.

COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND SHIPPING

ALLEN, D. F. Report on the major ports of Malaya. Kuala Lumpur,
Government Printer, 1951.
Includes a large section of the port facilities of Singapore.
ALLEN, G. C. and DONNITHORNE, AUDREY G. Western enterprise in Indonesia
and Malaya: a study in economic development. Allen & Unwin, 1957.

BENHAM, Dr. FREDERIC. The National income of Malaya, 1947-9 (with
a note on 1950). Singapore, Government Printer, 1951.
The first complete assessment of Malayan economy.
BuURDON, T. W. Singapore fishing methods. In Journal of the Malayan
Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, Vol. 27, 1954. Illustrated.

BurDon, T. W. The Fishing industry of Singapore. Singapore, Donald
Moore, 1955.

INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DBVELOPMENT. The
Economic development of Malaya; report of a Commission organised
by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development at the
request of the Federation of Malaya, the Crown Colony of Singapore
a the United Kingdom. Singapore, Government Printer, 1955. Maps,
tables.

MACKENZIE, K. E. Malaya: economic and commercial conditions in
Federation of Malaya and Singapore. H.M. Stationery Office, 1952.

Morals, J. V. The Leaders of Malaya and Who's Who, 1956. Kuala Lumpur,
Morais, 1956. 2nd ed. ordered 1957-8.

Mupg, R. F., and others. Report of the Mission of Enquiry into the rubber
industry of Malaya. Kuala Lumpur, Government Printer, 1954. Tables,
diagrams.

Smccock, T. H. The Economy of Malaya. Singapore, Donald Moore, 1954.
Bibliography.

THAM Au Kow. The Food and feeding relationships of the fishes of the
Singapore Straits. London, H.M. Stationery Office.

Straits Times. Directory of Singapore and Malaya. Singapore, Straits. Times
Press, 1957

WricuT, R. A., and others. Food supplies for Singapore. Singapore.
Government Printer, 1951.

A general survey.
SOCIAL SERVICES

Gow KENG Swee. Urban incomes and housing. Singapore, Department of
Social Welfare, 1956. Maps, tables.
A report on the social survey of Singapore, 1953-4.
Kaye, BARRINGTON. A Manifesto for education in Malaya. Singapore,
Donald Moore, 1955.

342 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

MASON, FREDERIC. The Schools of Malaya. Singapore, Donald Moore, 1954. |
Bibliography.
_ A short survey of the post-war period.
SINGAPORE IMPROVEMENT TRUST. Master Plan: a report of survey. Singa-
pore, Government Printer, 1955. Illustrated, maps, tables.

SINGAPORE IMPROVEMENT TRUST. Master Plan: reports of study groups
and working parties. Singapore, Government Printer, 1955. Illustrated
maps, tables.

SINGAPORE IMPROVEMENT TRUST. Master Plan: written statement. Singapore,
Government Printer, 1955. Tables.

SINGAPORE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY. All-Party Committee on Chinese
Education. Report. Singapore, Government Printer, 1956. Tables.

ADMINISTRATION

EMERSON, RUPERT. Representative government in South-East Asia, with
supplementary chapters by Willard H. Elsbree and Virginia Thompson.
Cambridge, Mass., Harvard U.P./London, Allen & Unwin, 1955.

SINGAPORE, COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT. Report of the Committee
on Local Government. Singapore, Government Printer, 1956;

PHYSICAL FEATURES AND NATURAL HISTORY

ALEXANDER, F. E. S. Report on the availability of granite in Singapore
ri the surrounding islands. Singapore, Government Printer, 1950.
ap.
Summarizes recent geological information.
ALLEN, BETTY MOLESWORTH. Some common trees of Malaya. Singapore,
Eastern Universities Press, 1957.

CHASEN, F. N. A hand-list of Malaysian Birds: a systematic list of the
birds of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo and Java, including
the adjacent small islands. Singapore, Government Printer, 1935.
Bulletin of the Raffles Museum, No. 11, December, 1935.

CORNER, E. J. H. Wayside trees of Malaya. Singapore, Government Printer,

1940, Reprinted 1952.
In two volumes, one of text and line drawings, the other of photographic plates.
This work provides for the identification of nearly a thousand species of Malayan
trees.

ELLERMAN, J. R. and Morrison-Scott, T. C. S. Supplement to Chasen

(1940). London, British Museum, 1955.
A hand-list of Malaysian mammals, containing a generic synonymy and a com-
plete index.

GIBSON-HILL, C. A. Singapore. Singapore, Government Printer, 1948.
An album of twenty-four photographs of typical landscapes.

Gipson-HILL, C. A. An Annotated checklist of the birds of Malaya.
Singapore, Bulletin of the Raffles Museum, No. 20, 1949.
A subsequent paper by the same author (Bull. Raff. Mus. 21, 1950) gives a com-
parable list for Singapore Island only.
GLENISTER, A. G. The Birds of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore and Penang.

Oxford University Press, 1951. Illustrated.
Brief descriptions with field notes of all the birds on the Annotated Checklist.

HENDERSON, M. R., and ADDISON, G. H. Malayan orchid hybrids. Singapore,
Government Printer, 1956.

BIBLIOGRAPHY 343

HENDERSON, M. R. Malayan wild flowers. Kuala Lumpur, The Malayan
Nature Society of Singapore, Kelly & Walsh, 1951. Illustrated.

Ho.truM, R. E. An Introduction to the study of Malayan flowers. Revised
ed. Singapore, Girl Guides Association, 1953 (reprinted 1957).

Hotttum, R. E. Orchids of Malaya. Singapore, Government Printer, 1953.
Illustrated.
Covers all the local hybrids known to date, in addition to the large number of
wild forms; the first volume in the Revised Flora of Malaya.
Ho trum, R. E. Ferns of Malaya. Singapore, Government Printer, 1955.
Illustrated.
2nd volume in the Revised Flora of Malaya. Describes nearly 500 species known
in Malaya.
Ho trum, R. E. Gardening in the lowlands of Malaya. Singapore, Straits
Times Press, 1953. Illustrated.
Contains much useful information for the amateur gardener.

Ho.trum, R. E. Plant life in Malaya. Longmans, Green & Co., 1953.
A students’ introduction.
Mapoc, G. C. An Introduction to Malayan birds. Revised ed. Kuala
Lumpur, Malayan Nature Society, 1956.

Tweepr, M. W. F. Poisonous animals of Malaya. Singapore, Malaya
Publishing House, 1941.

Tweepe, M. W. F. Prehistoric Malaya. Singapore, Donald Moore, 1955.
Hlustrated.

Tweepie, M. W. F., and HARRISON, J. L. Malayan animal life. Longmans,
Green & Co., 1954.
An outline of the fauna of Malaya, for the general reader as well as the student
of natural history.
Tweeprm, M. W. F. The Snakes of Malaya. 2nd ed. Singapore, Govern-
ment Printer, 1957. Illustrated.

Index

Abattoirs, 115
Accidents:

industrial, 61, 62

shipping, 226

traffic, 244
Accountant-General, 73
Administration, 285, 294-96
Adult Education, 88, 147
Aedes Control, 158
Agriculture, 40, 54, 73, 110-12
ah ae Aircrews, 234, 235,

238

Air-condition, 104
Air Force, Malayan Auxiliary, 271,
279-80

Air Safety, 235, 237
Services, 233, 234, 236
Training Corps, 284

Airport, 238, 239

Aliens Registration, 30, 36

Almoners, 144, 153

Aluminium, 120

Ambulance Service, 212

Animals, 112, 114, 115

Appeal Courts, 186, 189

Apprenticeship, 43-45, 119

Approved Schools, 171, 172

Arbitration industrial, 55

Architect, City Council, 79

Archives, Official, 19, 149

Armed Services, 7, 271
employment of civilians, 1, 5, 40,

42

Arts, 20, 142-46

Asian flu, 20, 156

Assets, 75

Assignee Official, 73

Assizes, 189

Athletics, 307-08

Audit, 73

Australia, 113, 115
Automobiles, 41, 78, 84, 241-45

Badminton, 308, 309
Bankruptcy, 187

Banks and Banking, 91-93
Basketball, 312, 313
Battery, 121

Beacons, navigational, 225

Betting Tax, 67, 77
Bibliography, 338
Bicycles, 241
Birds of Singapore, 321
Birth rates, 23-26, 151, 165
Biscuits, 121
Blind Welfare, 174
Blood Transfusion, 160
Board of Film Censors, 269
Boats and Boat building, 219, 230
Boot polish, 120
Borneo, 115
Botanic Gardens, 73, 324-26
Boys Clubs and Homes, 173
Boys’ Town, 173
Brewery, 120
Brick making, 123
Bridge buildings, 206, 218
British Council, 301
Erna rer Airways Corp.,
British Red Cross Society, 159
Broadcasting, 250, 262-69
Brunei, 90, 252
Budget :
City Council, 78, 79
Government, 72, 73
Rural Board, 84, 85
Building, 121, 126-34

_ Bukit Timah Road, 218

Bye-election, 5, 6
Corruption, commission on al-
legations of, 6

Cable and Wireless, 248-50
Cadet Corps, 283, 284
Cargo and Cargo handling:

air, 233

rail, 240

sea, 221

inspection, 227
Cars, 241-45
Casualties—see accidents
Cattle, 112-15
Causeway, 316

Cement, 105

Censorship of films, 269

346 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Census:
population, 23
manual workers, 39
road traffic, 128
Chambers of Commerce, 105
Charitable Societies, 73
Chemistry Department, 73, 201,
202

Cheshire Home, 174
Chicken-pox, 157
Chief Justice, 186
Minister, 1-16, 73, 285-90
Secretary, 73, 291
Child Welfare, 20, 155, 173, 177
Children’s Social Centres, 176
see also juveniles
China, 104
China Society, 298
Chinese: '
Secretariat, 73
Schools, 1, 7, 12, 13, 14, 190
Cholera, 150
Christmas Island, 316, 336
Cigarettes, 120
Cinemas, 120, 269
Citizenship, 1, 8, 36, 288
Cleansing and Hawker Depart-
ment, 215, 216
City Council, 1, 9, 77-82, 126, 132,
150, 154, 206-17, 241-44,
292, 293
Civics Courses, 8
Civil Aviation, 73, 233-40
Civil Litigation, 186
Civil Service (see Public Service)
Climate, 317
Coconut and Coconut oil, 102, 110,
111, 121
Cocos Keeling Islands, 316, 337
Coffee, 103
Coinage, 90
Colombo Plan, 113, 125, 146, 239
Colonial Development and Wel-
fare Act, 19, 65, 72, 87-89,
119, 146
Commerce (see Trade)
Commerce and Industry, 73, 108
Commissioner-General, 73
Communications, 73, 219-54
Communist Activities, 1, 4, 10, 11,
12, 13, 14, 190
Community Centres, 176
Companies, 107, 187
Compensation, Workmen’s, 61
Confectionery, 121
Conferences :
All-Party, 1, 4

Constitutional, 4, 285
International, 22, 108
Consolidated Rate Fund City
Council, 77-79, 154
Constabulary Special and
Volunteer, 198, 199
Constituencies, electoral, 334
Constitution, 1, 334
Agreement, 3, 5
ea (ae (building) industry,
4
Contraband seizures, 200
ee Societies, 73, 114, 124,

Copra, 95, 102

Coroner, 189, 190

Corporation Duty, 76

Cosmetics, 120

Cost of living, 50

Cottage Industries, 123

Cotton-spinning, 120

Council of Ministers, 73

Counselling and Advice Service,
171

Courts, 186, 190
Industrial, 55
Labour, 51

Creches, 177

Crime, 192-96
political, 10-14

Criminal Investigation

ment, 199

Crippled Children’s Home, 174

Culture, 20

Currency, 90, 91

Customs :

Department, 73, 199-201
Duties, 64, 69

Depart-

Dangerous Materials, Inspectorate
of 201, 202, 227

Deaf and Dumb, 174

Death Rate, 20, 26-29, 151, 166

Debt Public, 66, 74-75

Defence Forces (see also armed
forces) 7, 64, 73

Dentistry, 163

Derris, 110

Detention under Preservation of
Public Security Ordinance,

Development Fund, 65

Diagnostic Survey, 127, 128

Diphtheria, 157

Disabled Persons, 45, 62, 169
Employment of, 45, 46

Disease incidence, 114, 150
Disputes industrial, 56
Distillery, 121
Distributive Trades, 40, 104
District Committees, Rural, 293
District Councils, 9, 292, 293
District Courts, 188, 189
Dockyards, 41, 229-31
Doctors, 15-153
Dollar Exchange Rates, 92
Drainage, 213, 214
Drama, 301-04
Dredging, 213
Driving Licences, 245
Drugs, 158, 194-96
Dry Docks, 229, 230
Duties:

Customs, 67, 69, 199

Others, 67-73, 76, 77
Dysentery, 157

Economic Survey, 16
Edible oil, 121
Education, 135-49
adult, 19, 20, 147
Advisory Board, 18
Chinese, 135
Committee, 17, 135
Department, 17, 18
Ethics and Religion, 139
finance, 18, 73, 147, 148
health, 155
overseas, 146
Physical, 138, 139
Plan, 135, 136
Policy, 135
Technical, 140
Eggs, 113, 114, 115
Elections, 5
Boundaries, 8
Electricity Supplies, 207-10
Employers’ Trade Unions, 54
Employment, 39-43
Agricultural, 40
Armed Service, 40, 42
City Council, 42
Conditions of, 47, 48
Exchange, 42, 43
Government Service, 42
Industrial, 40, 41
Singapore Harbour Board, 42
Women and juveniles, 49
Endemic diseases, 156
Engineer City, 79
Engineering industry, 41
Engineering Officers (Ships), 223

INDEX 347

English Language, 37, 135, 137,
140

Entertainments:
duty, 72
see also Arts
Entrepot trade (see Trade)
Epidemic diseases, 156
Estate:
duty, 72, 73, 76
rubber and coconut, 110, 111,
319
deceased persons, 187
Department (City Council), 78,
79

Estimates Committee, 66
Exchange:

Bank Association, 92

Control, 73

Rates, 92
Excise duties, 69, 70
Executive Council (see Governor

in Council)

Exhibitions, 96, 258, 259, 304, 305
Expenditure (see Finance)
Exports, 114

(see also under names of com-

modities)

Factories, 60
Faculties of the University, 143-
45

Fauna of Singapore, 320-23
Federation of Malaya, 34, 142
communications, 221, 224, 235,
241, 249
Merdeka, 11, 14, 15, 21
migration, 30-34
relations with, 14, 15
trade with, 16, 107, 115
Female Prisoners, 203
Films, 255, 256
Censorship, 73
Finance, 64-89
Financial Secretary, 76
Fine Arts and Cultural Section, 20
Fire Service, 212, 213
Fish and Fisheries, 73, 104, 113,
116-19
Flats (see housing)
Flight Information Region, 237
Flood Relief, 213, 214
Flora of Singapore, 323
Flower shows, 329
Flouridation, 207
Food:

prices, 50
supply, 100, 105

348 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Football, 309-10
Foreign Exchange Control, 73
Forests and Forestry, 73, 115
France, 98, 99, 106
Free Legal Aid, 171
Fruit, 103, 110, 112
Fuel (see Coal and Petroleum)
Funds:
Common estates administration,
188
Development, 74, 75
Mercantile Marine, 74, 75
Provident, 181
Silver Jubilee, 170
Special Reserve, 74
War Distress, 170
War Risks Insurance, 74

Games and Sports, 307-15
Gambling, 194
Carbage disposal, 215-16
Gardens Botanic, 73, 184, 321,
325-29
Gas supplies, 210-12
Gazette, Government, 338, 242
General:
Hospital 160
Post Office, 252-54
Geographical features, 316-29
Germany, 98, 99, 101, 106
Gimson School for Boys, 171
Girls’ Homes, 172
Golf, 312
Government of Singapore, 285-
293

Government Service (see Public
Service)

Governor, 15, 73, 126

Granite, 123

Grants in aid to schools 135, 138

Graving docks, 230

Harbour, 219, 228
Harbour Board (see Singapore
Harbour Board)
Hawkers, 117, 216
Health, 20, 73, 150-66
High Court, 189
History:
Christmas Island, 316, 336
Cocos Keeling Island, 316
Singapore, 330-36
Hoskey, 307, 310, 311
Holidays, 58
Homes :—
Welfare, 171, 173
seafarers, 228

Hong Kong, 309
communications with, 223, 248
trade with, 104

Horticulture, 323-29

Hospital Reserve, 282-83

Hospitals, 159

Hostels, 173

Hotels, 33

Hours of work in industry, 47-48

Housing, 20, 126-34
finance, 20
rents, 50

Hydrographic Surveys, 226

Identity Cards, 33
Immigration, 30-34, 73
Imports and exports, 99, 101-04
see also under names of com-
modities)

Control division, 73, 103, 104
Imprisonment, 189
Improvement :

Plan-Town Planning, 126, 127,

129
Rate Taxation, 127
Trust (see Singapore Improve-
ment Trust)
Income Tax, 64, 72, 73
Independents, 6, 9
India:

communications with, 223
Indo-China, 223
Indonesia:

communications with, 223

trade with, 115
Industrial:

accidents, 61

classification, 40

court, 51-52, 55

development, 120

disputes, 56

employment, 41

production, 120, 122

promotion board, 16, 123

training, 43-45
Infant Welfare, 20

Mortality, 20, 151, 165
Infectious diseases, 162
Influenza, 156
Information Services, Government,

8, 73, 108, 226
Injuries Compensation, 61
Inquest, 190
Institute of Health, 150, 151
Institutions :
charitable and welfare, 171-74

INDEX 349

educational, 136-38, 139-40,
141-146, 147
medical, 145, 159
Insurance Companies, 74, 107
Interest, 72
Internal Security
Council, 5
International :
Civil Aviation Organisation, 239
conference, 108-09
Labour Organisation, 146
Tin Council, 98, 99
Italy, trade with, 98, 99

Jalan Besar Stadium, 309
Japan, 96, 98
trade with, 96, 98, 99, 101
Japanese Occupation, 131, 210
Johore Straits, 316
Joint Consultation (industrial re-
lations), 55
Journal, 149
Judges, 186
Judicial, 73, 186-90
Juvenile Court, 188, 171
Juveniles:
delinquency, 191
employment, 191
ill-treatment, 179 ©

Kallang Airport, 1
Kandang Kerbau Hospital, 160

Keppel Harbour, 219, 230

King Edward VII College of
Medicine, 143

Korea, 98

Kwong Wai Sui Free Hospital,
159, 164

Labour (see employment, _in-
dustry): 17, 38-63, 114
_ Advisory Board, 39
Court, 51, 52
Department, 17, 73
Labuan, 334
Land:

Use, 110-112
Languages, 37
Law Courts, 73, 186-90
Laws of Singapore (see Ordin-

ances) .

Learned bodies, 149
Legal Department, 179
Legislation (see Ordinances)
Legislature, 6, 73

Leprosy Hospital (see Trafalgar
Home)

Liabilities, ” 714
Libraries, 19, 20, 73, 149
Licencing :
aircrews, 234, 235
imports ‘and exports, 104
motor vehicles, 241
motor vehicle drivers, 245
wireless receivers, 251, 262
Light Dues Board, 226
Lighters and Lighterage, 41
Lighthouses, 224
Lighting Streets, 85, 209
Liquidation of Companies, 61, 187
Liquors, 72
Labour Front, 6, 9
Liberal Socialist Party, 6, 9
Litigation, 165
Little Sisters of the Poor, 173
Livestock, 113
Loans:
City Council, 78, 79, 81
Government, 66, 67, 108
Improvement Trust, 127
Interest Rates, 67, 92, 93, 127
Local Authorities (see City Coun-
cil, Rural Board)
Local Forces (see also Armed
Services, Police Force)
Local Government, 9, 73, 129
Lodging Houses, 33
Lotteries, 76

Machinery, 60, 61
Magistrates, 188, 189
Mails (see Postal Services)
Malacca, 331, 333
Malaria, 157
Malaya (see Federation of Malaya)
Malaya and_ British Borneo
Currency Commissioners, 90
Malaya War Distress (Singapore)
Fund, 170
Malayanisation, 95-96
Malayan:
Air Training Corps, 279-80
Airways Ltd., 57
Auxiliary Air Force, 279
Board of Income Tax, 68
ee Royal Asiatic Society,
14
Communist Party, 190
a a Banks Association, 92,
3

Nature Society, 149

350 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Railway, 240-41
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve,
274-75

Stevedoring and Transportation
Co. Union, 221
Malayan Chinese Association, 6, 9
Malayan Communist Party, 11, 12
Malayanisation, 7, 151
Malay National Congress, 2
Malays, 2
Manufacturing Industry (see in-
dustrial production)
Marine:
Department, 73
Police, 232
Surveys Department, 73
Markets and marketing, 112, 216
Marriages, 34-36, 73
Master Attendant, 220
Master Plan, 127-29
Maternal Mortality, 151, 165
services, 20, 155
Mayor, 9, 292, 293, 336
Measles, 157
Medical:
Finance, 64, 154
Health Department, 73
Registers, 153
Services, 15]
Store, 164
Training, 152
Medicine King Edward VII Col-
lege, 14
Mental diseases and institutions,
159, 161
Merchant shipping, 219, 220
Metal boxes, 121
Meteorological Services, 73, 225,
236, 239
Middle Road Hospital, 162
Middleton Hospital, 162
Midwives, 152, 153
Migration, 30-34
Military Forces (see Armed Ser-
vices and Local Forces)
Milk, 105, 107
Mining, 98
Ministries, 290-92
Money (Currency), 90-91
Mortality Rates, 165
Motor vehicles, 241-44
traffic, 244
Mountbatten Earl, 333
Mount Emily Home, 172
Multilingualism, 10
Museum Raffles, 19, 73, 148
Muslims Ordinance, 183

Music, 298, 301
Society Singapore, 299

Nantina Home, 173

Narcotics, 194-96

National Registration Identity
s, 33

National Service, 278, 279
Nationality, 36

Natural History of Singapore, 316—
329

Naturalisation, 36

Nature Reserves, 119

Nautical School, 227

Navigational Aids, 224-26

Navy (see Royal Navy and
Malayan Royal Naval
Reserve)

Netherlands, 99, 106

New Market Road Children’s
Home, 172

Newspapers, 259-60

Newsprint, 104

New Zealand, 92

North Korea, 104

Nurses, 152-53

Nutrition, 113

i (see employment), 38-
3

Official Assignee, 73, 187
Receiver, 187
Old People’s Homes, 173
Olympic and Sports Council, 307
Omnibuses, 41, 242
Opium, 194, 195
Treatment Centre, 163, 204
Orchestras, 298
Orchids, 327-29
Orders in Council, Colony, 285
Ordinances, 179-85
Orphans and Orphanages, 173
Outpatients, 159, 163
Overtime Pay, 47

Paint, 120, 122

Pakistan, trade, 92

Parties (political), 3-5, 334
Pan-American Airways, 234
Passengers, 220, 233, 241
Patents, 108

Pawnbrokers, 180

Paya Lebar Airport, 233
Penang, 330, 331

Pencils, 120

Pensions, 73

INDEX

Pepper, 102, 110
Perak House, 172
Perfume, 120
Petroleum, 72, 102, 103
Pharmacy, 143
Philippines, 259
Phosphate Commission (Christmas
Island), 337
Photography, 305-06
Pigs, 113, 114
Pilgrimage to Mecca, 221
Pilots:
aircraft, 234, 235
Pineapple Industry, 181
Pineapples, 100, 122
Plague, 150
Plantations, rubber and coconut,
Police:
Courts
Force, 73, 196-99
Marine, 232
Radio Division, 199
Singapore Harbour Board, 232
Special Constabulary, 198
Poliomyelitis, 157
Political Parties, 3-5, 334
Polytechnic, 227
Population, 23-37
Population, 23-37
Migration, 30-34
Natural Increase, 29
Port Commission, 16, 17
Port of Singapore, 219, 220
Postal Services, 72, 73, 252-54
Post Office Savings Bank, 93
Poultry, 113-15
Power Stations, 81, 207, 210
Press, 259, 260
Preventive Branch, Customs, 200-
| 01

Prices:
Food, 51, 115, 118
Rubber, 97
Tin, 98, 99
Primary Schools, 137
Printing, 73
Prisons, 73, 202-05
Probate and Administration, 187
Probation Service, 178, 191
Production, 110-125
Prostitution, 177
Provident Funds, 188
Public:
Assistance, 168, 169
Debt, 73

351

Health, 158
Finance, 64-89
Works, 73

Public Service, 294-96
Commission, 7, 73
Composition, 294-96
Corruption, allegations of, 6
Training, 294, 295
Staff relations, 296

Peoples Action Party, 6, 9, 10, 11,

3

13, 190

Public Trustee, 187, 188

Public Utilities and Public Works,
132, 206-218

eee Government, 261,
262

Publicity, 255-59
Pulau—lIsland

Brani, 98

Bukom, 103

Sebarok, 220

Ubin, 316, 321
Punishment of Crime, 188-89

Qantas Empire Airways, 234
Quarantine, 114, 156, 233
Quarrying, 121, 123
Quays and Wharves, 219
Queen’s Docks, 230
Queen’s Scholarship, 146, 147
Queenstown, 132
Races of Singapore, 23
Radio, 246, 250
Raffles :

College, 143

Museum and Library, 149, 183,

184

Sir Thomas Stamford, 96, 126
Railways, 240
Rainfall, 317-20
Ramakrishna Mission Home, 174
Ranikhet, 114
Rates (See also taxation):

oy Council general purpose,

7

Education, 148
Electricity, 190
Gas, 208, 209, 211
Improvement, 83, 84
Water, 207
Rural Board, 83
Rattan, 123
Receiver, Official (see Official
Assignee)
Red Cross Society, 159
Rediffusion, 262
Refuse disposal, 215, 216

352 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

Religions, 37

Remand Prison, 202
Rendel Constitution, 29
Rendel, Sir George, 334
Rents, 72, 134
Representative in London,

Malayan, 109
Research, 113, 119
Medical, 164
Meteorological 240
Social, 168
Reserve Unit Police, 199
Retail:
Prices, 51
Shops, 50

Revenue (see Finance)

Rice, 100, 101, 104

Ridley, Mr. H. N. 325, 326
Roads, 218

Roman ee Organisations,

Root Crops, 100
Rope, 104, 120
Royal Air Force, 310
Bris Society Malayan Branch,

Malayan Navy, 272-74
Navy, 221
Singapore Anti-Tuberculosis
Clinic, 159, 164
Rubber:
Estates, 110, 111
se and manufacture, 120,
1
Price and Trade, 95-98
Rubella, 157
Rugby football, 309, 310
Rural Board, 20, 126

Safety :
Aircraft, 237
Factories, 60
Ships, 203
Sago, 123
St. Andrew’s Mission Hospital,
159, 164
St. James’ Power Station, 208
St. John’s Island, 159, 163
Salvation Army, 173
Sanitation, 214, 215
Savings Bank Post Office, 93
Sawmills, 115, 122
eee Government, 146,
14

School Cadet Corps, 284

Schools (see also Education)
Medical Service, 155
Teachers, 139, 141
Types of 136, 141
Sea Cadet Corps, 283
Seamen, 222, 227
Seamen’s Industrial Relations, 228
Seamen’s Registry Board, 180, 222
Sea sports, 313-15
Secondary Schools, 137, 138
Secret Societies, 192, 193
Security Action, 190
Self-Government, 334
Seventh Day Adventist Hospital,
159
Sewerage, 214
Shipping, 219, 221, 225, 226
Articles, 222
Bunkers and Stores, 210
Crews, 221
Radio, 255
Registry, 220
Repair, 230
Services, 221
Survey and safety, 223, 224
Shoes, 121
Signal Stations, 224
Silver Jubilee Fund, 170
Simla Rules (shipping), 223
Singapore :
Anti-Tuberculosis Clinic, 159
Arts Council, 297
Badminton Association, 308
Bus Workers Union, 58
Chamber Ensemble, 299
Gardening Society, 328
Singapore Harbour Board, 42, 57,
97, 132, 219, 227, 228-32
a 2 Harbour Board Reserve,
0

Singapore Hospital Reserve (Hos-
pital Reserve), 282-83
Singapore Improvement Trust, 20.

126-34,
Singapore Industrial Promotion
Board, 179
Singapore Malay Union, 2
Singapore Mercantile Marine
Fund, 74, 75
Singapore:
River, 317
Telephone Board, 58
Volunteer Corps, 276
Youth Council, 174, 175
Youth Sports Centre, 314
Singapore, 301
Slum clearance, 132

INDEX 353

Small-pox, 150, 162

Smuggling, 200

Snakes, 322

Soap, 121

Social Security, 168

Social a Department, 167-
7

Societies :
Charitable, 173, 174
Co-operative, 114, 124, 125
Secret, 192
Soft drinks, 120, 121
Southern Islands, 9
Soviet bloc, 104
Speaker of the Legislature, 334
Special Constabulary, 198
Spices, 102
Sport, 307-15
Spun yarn, 123
Stadium, Jalan Besar, 309
Stage Club, 303
Stamp duties, 64, 72, 77
State of Singapore, 1
Statistics Department, 73
Stevedoring, 41
Straits of Johore, 316
Straits Settlements, 223, 330-31
Straits Steamship Company, 221
Strategic goods, 104
Street :
Cleansing, 215-16
Hawker, 216
Lighting, 85, 209
Strikes, 56, 57
Student enrolment in schools, 141
Suez Canal, 219
Sugar, 51, 105
Sumatra, 115
Supplies, 73
Supreme Court, 187

Survey :
Aircraft, 238
Buildings, 238
Land, 73
Ships, 225
Sweepstakes duty, 67, 77
Swimming, 313-14
Swine, 114
Syllabus, 135

Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 161

Tariffs Customs, 69-71

Taxation (see also duties, finance),
67, 69

Taxis, 241

Tebrau River Water supply, 206

Telecommunications, 73, 225, 236,
245-51

Telegraphs, 247, 248

Telephones, 246

Teleprinter, 249

Television, 268, 269

Tennis, 311, 312

Text books, 135

Textiles, 95, 101, 102, 123

Thailand Communications with,
223, 236, 247

Trade, 115

Timber Trade, 115, 116

Tin, 98, 99, 104

Tobacco, 72, 110, 111

Totalisator betting duty, 72, 77

Tourism, 16, 108

Town a Country Planning, 126—

Tractor, 104
Trade, 1, 15, 16, 94-109
Advisory Council, 95
Channels of, 104
Commissioner, 109
Exhibitions, 96
Marks, 73, 107, 108
Principal Commodities, 106
Principal Countries, 106
Unions, 1, 10, 13, 53-58, 190
Volume of, 105
Trafalgar Home, 159, 161
Traffic :
Air, 233-34
Control, 244
Roads, 242
Training:
Industry, 43-45
Public Service, 294-95
Transferred Children, 178
Transport, 219 (see also Civil
Aviation, Railways, Roads
and Shipping)
Industry, 40 41
Travelling Dispensaries, 159
Treasury, 73
Trustee, Public, 187, 188
Tuberculosis, 157, 168, 169
Typhoid, 157

Ubin Pulau, 316, 321

Unemployment, 43

United Kingdom, 223, 226, 234,
248

Communications with, 223, 226,
234, 248, 254
Trade with, 98, 99

354 SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 1957

United States of America, 234, 247,
248
Communications with, 234, 247,

248
Trade with, 98, 99
University :
Malaya, 19, 142-45
Nanyang, 19, 145, 146
Utilities, public, 206-18

Vagrants, 202
Vegetables, 110
Vehicles (see Motor vehicles)
Venereal Disease Hospital, 162
Vernacular Schools, 135
Veterinary:
Division, 73, 113
Vice, 193
Visitors, 21, 22
Voluntary bodies, 151, 164
Volunteer :
Corps, Singapore, 276
Special Constabulary, 198

Wages (see Occupations), 49
Council, 55

War Distress Fund, 170

War Memorial, 20, 21

Warehouses, 208
Water Supplies, 206, 207
Weather, 225, 236 .
Weights and measures, 50, 51, 70
Welfare :
Seamen’s, 227, 228
Services, 73, 167-78
Industrial, 60-63
Wharves and quays, 208
Wheat, 104
Wholesale:
Marketing, 112
Prices, 95, 118
Whooping Cough, 157
Wireless (see also broadcasting)
Women and Girls protection, 177
Woodbridge Hospital, 161
Workmen’s Compensation, 61-63
World Health Organisation, 146

York Hill Girls Homecraft Centre,
172
Young Persons (see juveniles)
Youngberg Memorial Hospital,
159
Youth Organisations, 174, 175

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